Single-pulse YSGG:Cr:Nd laser with a 4% efficiency

A flashlamp-pumped Q-switched pulsed laser utilizing yttrium scandium gallium garnet activated with Cr and Nd was developed. This had an efficiency of 4% and a pulse energy of 450 mJ. The laser design featured an optomechanical modulator based on the frustrated total internal reflection of light, and an illumination enclosure having a special configuration which ensured spatial averaging of the gain distribution over the cross section of the active element. An analysis was made of the conditions for maximization of the lasing efficiency as a function of the resonator parameters.