High-temperature operation of a diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YAG/Cr4+:YAG laser

The output performances of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser passively Q-switched by Cr⁴⁺:YAG saturable absorber crystal were investigated function of temperature. Increase of the temperature from 25 to 150°C increased slightly the laser pulse energy, and did not change the pulse duration. Furthermore, an increased absorbed energy of the pump radiation was necessary at temperatures higher than 25°C in order to maintain Q-switch operation. Measurements concluded that Cr⁴⁺:YAG transmission did not vary when temperature increased to 150°C. The decrease of Nd:YAG emission cross section with temperature and the changes of resonator configuration due to thermal effects were considered as main reasons for this behavior. The results of this work are valuable for designing a laser-ignition system for industrial gas engine or automotive industry.