Possibility of increasing maximum output power of Q-switched lasers

It is suggested that the maximum useful output power of Q-switched lasers, limited by the damage threshold of the active element, can be increased by reducing the reflection coefficient of the exit mirror. An experimental check was carrier out on lasers in which the exit reflector was the end of an RL ruby rod of 10 mm diameter and 120–180 mm long. The useful power density obtained in this way ranged up to 170 MW/cm².