Short pulse and high repetition rate Q-switched Yb:YAG microchip laser

In this paper, we report a diode-pumped passively Q-switched Yb:YAG laser that is an excellent candidate for a ladar master oscillator. This microchip laser has 1 ns pulse duration, 68 μJ pulse energy, 700 mW average power, 10 kHz repetition rate, and 29% optical slope efficiency. Additionally, the microchip oscillates in the fundamental TEM00 mode. The peak power was measured as high as 66 kW. We compare the pulse shape and duration, and the beam quality to simulation. We study the effects of Q-switch absorption, output coupler reflectivity, cavity length, and pump power on the laser's pulse duration, pulse energy, average power, and repetition rate.