Acousto-optic Q-switched Alexandrite Laser with Wavelength Tuning and Second Harmonic Generation

Alexandrite is an excellent solid-state laser medium for high-power Q-switched operation due to its high thermal conductivity (23 Wm ⁻¹ K ⁻¹ ) and long upper-state lifetime (262 μs). Whilst electro-optically Q-switched (EO-QS) Alexandrite lasers with red diode-pumping have been demonstrated [1], this work presents results of the first ever Acousto-Optic Q-switched (AO-QS) Alexandrite laser. In addition, we present results of the conversion of the output of the wavelength-tuned AO-QS laser to tunable ultraviolet by second harmonic generation.