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Q-Switched Laser, ns
1. The Basic principle
The basic principle of a Q-switched pulsed laser is to control the laser output by adjusting the laser's quality factor (Q-factor). When the number of inverted particles in the laser reaches a certain level, the laser's threshold is suddenly reduced, allowing the stored energy to be released in extremely short pulses, thereby generating high-peak-power laser pulses.
Test data for Q-switched pulsed lasers (pulse waveform, pulse sequence)
Characteristics of a Q-switched pulsed laser:
(1) High single-pulse energy: During the energy storage phase, the gain medium accumulates a large number of inverted particles, generating laser pulses with high energy in a single release. Single-pulse energy ranges from nJ, µJ, mJ, J to kJ levels and is typically measured with an energy meter or power meter.
(2) High peak power: The "store-first, release-later" mechanism concentrates energy highly in time. Even with a single-pulse energy of microjoules (µJ), compressing it to a nanosecond or shorter duration for release enables the peak power to easily reach the kilowatt (kW) level.
(3) Short pulse duration: The pulse width is on the nanosecond scale, typically ranging from several nanoseconds to hundreds of nanoseconds for Q-switched technology.
(4) Controllable pulse repetition rate: The repetition rate of actively Q-switched lasers can be adjusted via external drive signals (electro-optical, acousto-optical). For passively Q-switched lasers, CNI has also developed technology to achieve automatic frequency adjustability and controllability.
2. Classification of Q-switched lasers
(1) Acousto-optic Q-switching: It uses sound waves in an acousto-optic crystal (e.g., fused silica) to generate a grating, causing laser diffraction and thus inducing loss.
(2) Electro-optic Q-switching: It utilizes the Pockels effect of electro-optic crystals (e.g., KDP, LiNbO₃). By applying voltage, the refractive index of the crystal is rapidly changed, thereby controlling the polarization state and loss of the laser.
(3) Passive Q-switching: It utilizes the nonlinear absorption characteristics of saturable absorbers (e.g., Cr⁴⁺:YAG crystals, semiconductor materials). When the light intensity is low, the absorber is opaque (high loss); when the light intensity reaches a certain threshold, the absorber is "bleached" and becomes transparent (low loss).
CNI offers acousto-optic (AO), electro-optic (EO), and passive Q-switched lasers. Users can make a reasonable selection based on parameters required in practical applications, such as pulse energy, peak power, pulse width, repetition rate, and pulse stability (Jitter).
3. Applications of Q-Switched Pulsed Lasers
Q-switched pulsed lasers manufactured by CNI cover wavelengths from deep ultraviolet 193nm to mid-infrared. They feature stable energy, reliable performance and long service life, and are widely used in fields such as industrial processing, medical aesthetics, scientific research, and remote sensing.
(1) Laser Precision Marking
Q-switched lasers create permanent marks by ablating the material surface. They can be used on various materials such as metals, plastics, ceramics, diamonds, and glass for marking logos, serial numbers, production dates, etc.
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Diamond waistline marker | Application of Micro-Channel Anti-Glare on Glass Surfaces | Carbon Fiber Surface Modification |
(2) Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
High-energy laser pulses ablate the sample surface into plasma, and the elemental composition of the substance is quickly determined by analyzing the spectrum emitted by the plasma. It is widely used in environmental monitoring, space exploration (e.g., Mars rovers), metallurgical analysis, etc.
Space exploration rover
(3) Laser Atmospheric Remote Sensing
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Laser Atmospheric Remote Sensing Measurement
(4) Laser Ranging and LIDAR
Distance is accurately calculated by measuring the time of flight of nanosecond laser pulses, and it is used in topographic mapping, 3D modeling, autonomous driving, atmospheric remote sensing, etc.
Laser Ranging
(5) Nonlinear Optics Research
High peak power lasers are ideal light sources for nonlinear frequency conversion such as frequency doubling and sum frequency generation, as well as for studying various nonlinear optical phenomena.
Frequency Doubling, Sum Frequency Generation, and Difference Frequency Generation
CNI offers pulsed DPSS, diode, and fiber lasers with different wavelengths, energy levels, pulse widths, and Q-switching mechanisms. Users can make an appropriate selection based on parameters required in practical applications, such as pulse energy, peak power, pulse width, repetition rate, and pulse stability (Jitter). For more details, please visit www.cnilaser.com/.
Changchun New Industries Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
Address: No. 888 Jinhu Road, High-Tech Zone, Changchun, 130103, P.R.China
International Tel:+86-431-85603799
Email: sales@cnilaser.com
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