High-Energy, Sub-nanosecond, Eye-safe Laser Pulses from Er,Yb:glass Planar Waveguide Amplifier

We have demonstrated high-energy amplification of sub-nanosecond laser pulses with an Er,Yb:glass planar waveguide amplifier. The output pulse energy reached 500 μJ at 20 kHz repetition rate, 500 ps duration, and 1534 nm wavelength.