88 ns multi-millijoule LiNbO3 electro-optically Q-switched Tm:LuAG laser

• The electro-optically modulator has been made and the extinction ratio was also measured.
• A CW maximum output power of 1.5 W is obtained with LiNbO3 crystal inserted.
• The characteristics of EO Q-switched Tm:LuAG laser are studied for the first time.
• The pulse duration of 88 ns is achieved.

An electro-optical modulator (EOM) made of a z-cut LiNbO3 (LN) crystal with size of 9×9×25 mm3 was designed to work in transverse-field regime. The extinction ratio of the EOM was measured to be 324:1. With the EOM operating in off Q-switching regime, a diode pumped all-solid-state actively Q-switched Tm:LuAG laser at 2 μm was realized. At repetition rate of 200 Hz, 2.5 mJ pulses with duration of 88.2 ns were generated. A maximum pulse energy of 2.51 mJ was achieved at repetition rate of 50 Hz, corresponding to a minimum pulse duration of 88 ns.