Compact and efficient Kerr-lens mode-locked diode-pumped actively Q-switched YVO4–Nd:YVO4 laser

By using a simple linear configuration, a stable and efficient YVO4–Nd:YVO4 laser, actively Q-switched by an acousto-optic modulator and passively mode-locked by KLM is realized, from which the great average output power, the high efficiency are obtained and the mode-locked pulse inside the Q-switched pulse has a repetition rate of 470 MHz. The nearly 100% modulation depth of the Q-switched mode-locked pulses can be obtained at any pump power over the threshold. Considering the Kerr-lens effect of laser medium and Q-switching by an acousto-optic modulator, we have analyzed the self-mode-locked YVO4–Nd:YVO4 laser by using the nonlinear ABCD propagation matrix and the hyperbolic fluctuation mechanism. The numerical solutions are in good agreement with the experimental results.