Cr4+:YAG
(Y3Al5O12) crystal is ideal for passive
Q-switch operation of Nd:YAG and other Nd3+ or Yb3+ doped
laser crystals in the wavelength range of 900 nm to 1200 nm. Passive
Q-switches or saturable absorbers provide high power laser pulses without
electro-optic Q-switches, thereby reducing the package size and eliminating a
high voltage power supply. A remarkable feature of Cr4+:YAG is
the high damage threshold of >10 J/cm2@1064 nm, 10 ns. Its absorption band
extends from 900 nm to 1200 nm and peaks around 1060 nm with a
very large absorption cross-section.
