An Electro-Optic, Actively Q-Switched Tm:YAP/KGW External-Cavity Raman Laser at 2273 nm and 2344 nm

Abstract

This paper presents a KGW Raman laser with an external-cavity configuration in the 2 μm region. The Raman laser is pumped by unique, electro-optic, actively Q-switched Tm:Yap laser, emitting at 1935 nm. The electro-optic modulation is based on a KLTN crystal, enabling the use of a short crystal length, with a relatively low driving voltage. Due to the KGW bi-axial properties, the Raman laser is able to lase separately at two different output wavelengths, 2273 and 2344 nm. The output energies and pulse durations for these two lines are 0.42 mJ/pulse at 18.2 ns, and 0.416 mJ/pulse at 14.7 ns, respectively. This is the first implementation of a KGW crystal pumped by an electro-optic active Q-switched Tm:Yap laser in the SWIR spectral range.

Keywords

• solid state laser
• 2 μm laser
• Raman laser
• KGW crystal
• active Q-switch
• electro-optics