Investigations of Non-Linear Absorption of Q-Switching Saturable Absorbers and Determination of their Main Parameters

Abstract

Investigations of non-linear absorption of q-switching absorbers were carried out. Three types of saturable absorbers were examined (Cr4+:YAG at the wavelength of 1064 nm, V3+:YAG and Co2+:YAG at the wavelength of 1332 nm) and their principal parameters were estimated. To appropriately determine these parameters 48 samples of Cr4+:YAG, 42 samples of V3+:YAG and 26 samples of Co2+:YAG were investigated making the results more reliable. Three different models of analysis of saturation effect were described and the best one chosen. Using the best model for the analysis the main parameters of the saturable absorbers were determined. On the basis of so many samples the standard deviation of the ground state absorption cross section, the excited state absorption cross section and the unsaturable losses were calculated showing how the value of these parameters may differ even for the same type of crystal.