Ho:YAG laser with acousto-optical Q-switch based on KYW crystal

High-efficient CW and Q-switched Ho:YAG lasers resonantly pumped by 30 W Tm-fiber lasers at 1940 nm were investigated. Active Q-switching experiments are achieved with a new type of acousto-optical Q-switch based on KYW crystal. The maximum pulse energy of 0.49 mJ was achieved at pulse repetition rate 1 kHz, with a pulse durations 32 ns and 15.7 kW peak power.