Optomechanical Q-switch shutter with resonant piezoelectric element

A new type of low cost optomechanical laser-beam shutter without any wearing parts, consisting of a resonantly oscillating piezoelectric element and an optical telescope, is described. In intracavity operation, the 2.5 mu s optical switching time is suitable for Q-switching lasers having long buildup times. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.