Optical Chopper Based Mechanically Q-Switched Similar To 3 Mu M Er:Yap Single-Crystal Laser

We developed a compact and low-cost diode-pumped similar to 3 mu m mechanically Q-switched Er:YAP laser with high-power using an optical chopper. At 2.4 W pumping and 7 kHz modulation frequency, a stable single-pulse repetitively Q-switched laser with a wavelength of 2.796 mu m has been observed. We recorded the pulse duration, the peak power, and the pulse energy of 264 ns, 22 W, and 5.9 mu J, respectively. As increasing pumping power to 7.4 W at a frequency of 10 kHz, the lasing wavelength shifted to 2.921 mu m and a stable multiple-pulse laser was observed. The pulse with 75 ns duration and 34 mu J energy has been observed, corresponding to a peak power of 456 W. The peak power and the pulse energy are the highest value ever reported for an actively Q-switched mid-infrared (IR) Er:YAP laser. Thus, this laser has the potential to be utilized for industrial and science fields as high-power mid-IR light source.