Performance of Nd:YLF laser by using La3Ga5SiO14 crystal electrooptic Q-switch

The polarization rotating coefficient and the laser-damage threshold of La3Ga5SiO14 crystal at 1064 nm are measured, which are 1.1 deg/mm and 900MW/cm2, respectively. The working principle and the design method of electrooptic Q-switch based on La3Ga5SiO14 crystal, which has the optical activity, are reported. The performance of Nd:YLF laser with the electrooptic Q-switch of La3Ga5SiO14 crystal was studied. The output pulses with an energy of 379 mJ, a duration of 8.7 ns and repetition of 10 Hz are achieved.