Formation of subnanosecond pulses by stimulated Brillouin scattering of radiation from a pulse-periodic YAG:Nd laser

An experimental investigation was made of the time profile of Stokes pulses as a function of the energy, repetition frequency, and conditions of focusing of laser pulses in various systems of stimulated Brillouin scattering (STBS) mirrors. Cascade STBS shortening of laser pulses reduced the duration from 12 nsec to less than 0.2 nsec in the case of Stokes pulses.