High-energy Q-switched 120 mJ Ho:YAG lasers at 500 Hz repetition rate

We present recent results on high energy, high repetition rate 2090 nm Ho:YAG laser system resonantly pumped by the radiation of efficient Tm-doped CW fiber lasers. The laser consists of a master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) with two additional amplification stages. We demonstrate maximum energy of 120 mJ per pulse with a 15 ns pulse width at 500 Hz, corresponding to a peak power of 8 MW. The results presented in a wide 100-1000 Hz range of repetition rates.