Q-switched operation of a Nd:YCOB laser

Q-switched operation of a Nd:YCOB laser is demonstrated. A Nd:YCOB crystal was end-pumped by laser diodes operating at a wavelength of 0.8 μm and with a peak power of 22 W, and Q-switching was achieved by the spinning disc technique. Pulses that were as short as 50 ns and with up to 0.5 mJ of energy were obtained. After optimization, a threshold of 0.5 mJ and a slope efficiency of 13% were achieved.