Pulsed YAG:Nd3+ laser with a passive Q switch in the form of an LiF crystal containing LiF : F2– centers

An investigation was made of the energy characteristics of a YAG:Nd³⁺ laser subjected to pulse-periodic pumping and to passive Q switching of a resonator by an LiF crystal containing LiF : F₂^– color centers. A comparison was made of the energy of giant laser pulses obtained using passive and electrooptic switches when the pump pulse repetition frequency was up to 50 Hz. The use of a passive switch made of an LiF : F₂^– crystal under optimal lasing conditions did not reduce the energy of the output pulses of the laser compared with that attainable using an electrooptic Q switch.