Electrooptically Q-switched 2.79 mu m YSGG:Cr:Er laser with an intracavity polarizer

Single Q-switched pulses have been generated in YSGG:Cr:Er with a 360-ns-risetime LiNbO/sub 3/ electrooptical modulator. It is shown that birefringence losses can be avoided and spiking emission eliminated by placing an additional polarizing LiNbO/sub 3/ prism inside the laser resonator. Reproducible single Q-switched pulses of 200-ns duration have been generated.<
>