Intrinsic reduction the depolarization loss in electro-optical Q-switched laser using a rectangular KD*P crystal

We presented the first demonstration of a new structure KD*P crystal as electro-optic switch, in which the thermal depolarization loss was intrinsically reduced. The thermally induced birefringence and depolarization of both cylindrical and rectangular crystalline structure were simulated. The higher pulse energy or average power output was achieved in the diode pumped E-O Q-switched laser using a rectangular KD*P crystal. At the repetition rate of 100 Hz, the maximum average output power was 27.2 W at 145 A pump current, corresponding to the pulse energy was 272 mJ with pulse width of 65 ns and the beam quality of M2=20.4. Comparing the highest average power or corresponding single pulse energy, the laser with the rectangular KD*P crystal was two times of the laser with the traditional cylindrical KD*P crystal.