Abstract: | Passive Q switching of Er:glass lasers has been demonstrated with Cr(2+):ZnSe and Co(2+):ZnSe saturable absorbers. A pulse duration of ~50ns and an output pulse energy of 5 mJ were obtained with both Co:ZnSe and Cr:ZnSe passive shutters. A Q-switched conversion efficiency of as much as 26% was obtained for Cr:ZnSe. Theoretical modeling exhibits satisfactory agreement with experimental data. |