Q-switched solid state laser with adjustable pulse length

Abstract

A Q-switched solid state laser is disclosed comprising a pump radiation source, whose pump radiation is focused through focusing elements in the laser crystal, a resonator formed by reflecting surfaces in which at least one laser crystal, an acousto-optic switch for Q-switching, and, if desired, a freqency-doubling crystal (KTP) are arranged. The acousto-optic Q-switch is connected with an electronic unit generating a high-frequency wave which can be modulated. The Q-switch is controlled by the high-frequency wave in such a way that laser pulses with pulse lengths on the order of magnitude of several microseconds (μs) and with an energy content on the order of magnitude of several millijoules can be generated by controlling the steepness of the edge of the modulation function of the high-frequency wave.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.