Q-Switches

Q-switches are intracavity devices used to generate very high peak power, short duration laser pulses. These are typically loss modulators operating on the zero order beam. The goal of a Q-switch is to diffract as much power from the zero order as possible to increase the cavity loss and extinguish the laser output. When the RF drive to the Q-switch is momentarily turned off, the optical power built up in the laser is emitted as a short pulse. The process may be repeated at rates in excess of 100KHz. Depending on the frequency and interaction length, AO Q-switches either operate in the Bragg regime, just like an AOM, with predominately a single diffracted beam or in the Raman-Nath regime with multiple diffracted beams.


Conduction Cooled






Model Wavelength Centre Frequency (MHz) Material Active Aperture (mm) Max Power (W) Damage Thresh (MW/cm^2) Driver
Q1420-T80L-1 1um 80 TeO2 1 3 >200 Here
Q1162-SFxxL-1 1um 41/80 SF10 1 6 >300 Here








M1377-aQ41L-1_2 0.7-1um 41 Quartz 1.0 to 2.0 15 >500 Here
M1377-aQ80L-1_2 0.7-1um 80 Quartz 1.0 to 2.0 15 >500 Here
Q1392-aQ80L-0p8 0.64 - 0.72um 80 Quartz 0.8 3 >500 Here
Q1405-aQ80L-0p7 1um 80 Quartz 1 15 >500 Here
Water Cooled






Model Wavelength Centre Frequency (MHz) Material Active Aperture (H, mm) Max Power (W) Damage Thresh (MW/cm^2) Driver
Q1062-FSxxL-H 1um 24/ 27 Fused Silica 1.5 to 6.0 60 >500 Here
Q1062-FSxxS-H 1um 24/ 27 F.Silica (Shear) 1.5 to 5.5 60 >500 Here
Q1083-FSxxL-H 1um 24/ 27 / 41 Fused Silica 1.5 to 6.0 60 >500 Here
Q1083-FSxxS-H 1um 24/ 27 / 41 F.Silica (Shear) 1.5 to 5.5 60 >500 Here








Q1337-G13L-3 10.6um 13.56 Ge 3 50 >50 Here