Output energy characteristics of optimally pumped rotating mirror Q-switch lasers

The author develops a simple analytical formula for the key laser resonator and Q-switch parameters of an optimally pumped rotating mirror Q-switch laser. The analytical expression developed relates the maximum attainable single pulse output energy to the laser parameters such as rotating mirror speed, output mirror reflectivity, length of the resonator, and the absorption cross section of the laser media on the basis of the experimentally measured mechanical Q-switch loss form. Good agreement between theory and the output performance of a test Nd-glass laser has been demonstrated.