Pulse control in a Q-switched Nd:YVO4 bounce geometry laser using a secondary cavity

A novel technique for obtaining enhanced control of pulsing parameters in a laser is described and implemented for the first time in a 1.1%Nd:YVO4 bounce geometry laser. The method uses a secondary laser cavity to control the gain in a Q-switched primary laser cavity and has enabled clean single-pulse Q-switched operation to be obtained across a repetition rate range of 1-800 kHz, where previously laser breakthrough had occurred below 150 kHz. Control of the pulse energy from the Q-switched laser is also demonstrated at a fixed repetition rate of 100 kHz by this technique.