Nd:KGd(WO4)2 laser at 1.35 μm passively Q-switched with V3+:YAG crystal and PbS-doped glass

Comparative study of passive Q-switching operation of a diode-pumped 1.35-μm Nd:KGd(WO4)2 laser using PbS-doped glass and V3+:YAG crystal has been carried out. V3+:YAG saturable absorber outperforms PbS-doped glass one in output power (45 mW over 12.5 mW) and Q-switching efficiency (47% over 13%). PbS-doped glass provides shorter Q-switched pulses (50 ns) than V3+:YAG crystal saturable absorber (90 ns).