Numerical modeling of CW-pumped repetitively passively Q-switched Yb:YAG lasers with Cr:YAG as saturable absorber

摘要

Passively Q-switched Yb:YAG lasers with Cr~(4+):YAG as saturable absorber is numerically studied by solving the coupled rate equations. The stimulation results indicate that the results obtained numerically are in good agreement with those obtained experimentally. From the stimulation results, the parameters (reflectivity of the output coupler, the concentration of the saturable absorber, etc.) for the best Q-switched operation can be obtained. And the effect of pump power on the laser performance of passively Q-switched Yb:YAG lasers were studied systematically and results show that the good laser performance can be achieved by higher pump power. A typical passively Q-switched laser pulse of 0.49 mJ with 32 ns in width at the repetition rate of 17 kHz can be obtained with a typical laser configuration, which results in 15.3 kW peak power.