Speaker
Description
Passively Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers with Cr4+:YAG as a saturable absorber that can operate with pulse repetition frequencies(PRF) in the hundreds of kilohertz typically have problems with pulse to pulse fluctuations of pulse energy and width and the associated timing jitter as well as drift in PRF. One technique for stabilizing the PRF and reducing fluctuations is modulation of pump power. This technique has been simulated using a plane wave rate equation model with square wave pump modulation at frequency of 100 kHz. Locking of the pulse repetition rate is achieved at the modulation frequency over a range of pump powers. This locking range is dependent on the modulation function, a square wave with a 50% duty cycle and a modulation depth of 0.5 produced a 13% locking range. Additionally smaller regions of stability also occur at higher pulse repetition frequencies at higher pump powers. The effect on the stability of pulse energy and width, and the timing rate jitter of this technique have been investigated.
| Consider for a student <br> award (Yes / No)? | Yes |
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| Level (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, other)? | MSc |
| Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)? | No |
