Transient nematic liquid crystal modulator as an active Q-switch for solid state lasers

Ignatius Iryanto; Hans Joachim Eichler; D. Grebe; Rainer Macdonald

doi:10.1117/12.405319

24 October 2000 Transient nematic liquid crystal modulator as an active Q-switch for solid state lasers

Ignatius Iryanto, Hans Joachim Eichler, D. Grebe, Rainer Macdonald

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4107, Liquid Crystals IV; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.405319
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2000, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Recently, fast electro-optical switching in planar nematic liquid crystals using Multipass and also Fabry-Perot modulators has been reported. By applying short driving- voltage pulses of 150 V microsecond switching times have been achieved with nematic planar cells (NPC) and even sub- microsecond switching in case of nematic Fabry-Perot modulators (NFPM). In the present report the performance of these modulators depending on the thickness, the temperature, the amplitude and the width of driving pulsed voltage is discussed with respect to realization of nematic Q-switch modulators for solid state lasers. A special ITO-electrode configuration has been developed to minimize the electrical time constant of the modulators. Results of using those fast nematic modulators as active Q-switches in flash lamp pumped Nd:YAG solid state lasers are shown. Three different resonator configurations have been designed. The realized Q-switch lasers emit pulses of 40 - 70 ns duration (FWHM) and energies between 10 - 25 mJ.

Citation Download Citation

Ignatius Iryanto, Hans Joachim Eichler, D. Grebe, and Rainer Macdonald "Transient nematic liquid crystal modulator as an active Q-switch for solid state lasers", Proc. SPIE 4107, Liquid Crystals IV, (24 October 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.405319

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE