Pulse duration control by laser induced plasma switch

Based on laser induced plasma switch technology, the output pulse width of 4.4 ns of the solid-state Nd:YAG laser is obtained. The influences of the focal length of the lens and the laser beam energy on the shortened laser pulse width are presented. The shorter the focal length is, the narrower the shortened pulse durationis, the greater the laser energy loss is. A hyperbola relationship between the pulse duration and the laser pulse energy is obtained. The laser pulse width is shortened to 6.4 ns by the plasma switch generated by the laser discharge in atmosphere. Placing a Cu pinhole on the focus of the lens to prevent the plasma from diffusing, a short output pulse with a width of 4.4 ns is obtained.