Q switching and mode locking the Nd3+-glass laser with the nickel dithienes

Measurement of the relaxation time for transient bleaching of solutions of bis-(4-dimethylaminodithiobenzil)-nickel (BDN) explains observed
Q
-switch and mode-locking behavior. A pronounced solvent effect permits varying relaxation time by a factor of 5 down to times short enough to be considered for mode locking in special circumstances.