Doubly Q-switched GdVO4/Nd:GdVO4 laser with AO modulator and Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber under direct 879 nm diode pumping to the emitting level

In this letter, a doubly Q-switched 1.06 μm pulse laser with AO modulator and Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber by direct pumping grown-together composite GdVO4/Nd:GdVO4 crystal is demonstrated for the first time. Compared to purely AO Q-switching, the simultaneous use of AO Q-switch and Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber can generate shorter pulses and more symmetric temporal profiles. The thermal lens effect of laser crystal was analyzed.

Research highlights
► Doubly Q-switched laser by direct 879 nm pumping GdVO4/Nd:GdVO4 crystal.
► The characteristics of doubly Q-switched pulse laser were investigated.
► The thermal lens effect of different laser crystals was measured.