High performance, diode-pumped, Q-switched Er:Yb:glass laser with FTIR shutter

Summary form only. Q-switched erbium-laser pulse energies at /spl lambda/=1.54 /spl mu/m have generally been severely limited due to low damage threshold of the electro-optic modulator materials presently available at this wavelength and due to the polarization sensitivity of the usual electrooptic shutters. Here, by employing the frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) Q-switching scheme in a diode-pumped Er:Yb:glass laser, we demonstrate that record-high nanosecond-pulse energies can be obtained from such a compact system.