Reduction of time jitter in a passively Q-switched and mode-locked ruby laser by a double-pulse technique

The onset of the picosecond pulse train in a passively Q-switched and modelocked solid state laser occurs with a considerable time jitter. A method has been devised which employs double-pulse pumping of the laser rod as a means to substantially reduce this jitter. With the ruby laser used, a reduction of more than twenty times, from 35 μsec to 1.5 μsec, was observed without altering the characteristics of the mode-locked pulse train or flash-lamp life. The synchronization of auxiliary equipment is thus made possible.