[Back]

F. Bammer, T. Schumi, J. Carballido Souto, J. Bachmair, D. Feitl, I. Gerschenson, M. Paul, A. Nessmann:
"Q-Switching with Single Crystal Photo-Elastic Modulators";
in: "Laser Systems for Applications", InTech, 2011, ISBN: 978-953-307-429-0, 14 pages.

Q-switching is a common technology to produce laser pulses. It is based on a fast optical
switch in the laser resonator blocking laser light while pumping energy is stored in the gain
medium. Usually electro- or acousto-optic Q-switches are used for this task. We introduce
here Single Crystal Photo-Elastic Modulators (SCPEM) that combine features of both
technologies, namely first the change of polarization in case of electro-optics, and second the
use of the photo-elastic effect as in acousto-optics. These resonant devices allow running
lasers on a constant pulse repetition frequency determined by the crystal size and excited
eigenmode.
We will give here an overview about the basics and theory of Photo-Elastic Modulators
(PEM). This will include information about classical PEM excited, from the end, from the
sides, and from two sides. Then we will describe single crystal photo-elastic modulators
with focus on the material from the crystal symmetry group 3m and short discussion of
other groups.

Güteschalten von Festkörperlasern mit photo-elastischen Einkristallmodulatoren

Q-switching, LiTaO3, LiNbO3, Modulators, Solid State Lasers

http://publik.tuwien.ac.at/files/PubDat_204146.pdf