Passive Q switching of pulsed Nd3+ lasers using YSGG:Cr4+ crystal switches exhibiting phototropic properties

An experimental investigation was made of multispike lasing regimes in various pulsed Nd³⁺ lasers Q-switched using a movable passive switch based on an yttrium scandium gallium garnet crystal containing Cr⁴⁺ ions. The results indicate that these passive switches should make it possible to develop Nd³⁺ lasers with high average and peak powers.