Polymer passive laser switches for stimulated emission in the region of 1.3 μm

The first polymer passive laser switches, based on polymethine dyes and intended for the 1.3 μm range were developed. These switches ensured an efficiency of 40% in passive Q switching of neodymium lasers (λ = 1.318 and 1.34 μm). The maximum energy of 0.16 J and the minimum duration of 18 ns were achieved for single pulses. Passive mode locking was employed to generate ultrashort pulses of 35–60 ps duration with an energy of 6–10 mJ in a train. The photostability of the new polymer switches was two orders of magnitude better than the photostability of corresponding liquid switches.