Abstract

A twisted-mode, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was constructed using a simple design of an optical cavity which was composed of a pair of crossed Porro prisms working as wave plates and end mirrors. The laser emitted output pulses of 2.8mj in energy and 26 ns in duration at a rate of 300 Hz in a fundamental transverse mode. The high stability of this laser was demonstrated by the operation at ambient temperatures below −10°C without readjustments.

© 1999 Optical Society of America