Passive Q-Switch Lasers

Image Pulsed DPSS Lasers Saturable Absorber Passive Q-Switch Example DiagramPassive q-switches use a saturable absorber, which can be a crystal (typically Cr:YAG), a passive semiconductor, or a special dye. Passive q-switches take advantage of a process known as saturable absorption.  Saturable absorption derives from the fact that there is a limit to the amount of light that a material can physically absorb at a given wavelength before the energy level becomes saturated and the material becomes temporarily transparent.  As a result, if a saturable absorbing material is placed inside of the laser cavity, it will absorb all of the spontaneously emitted photons until it reaches saturation where it will then allow the photons to pass through and initiate stimulated emission.  In a saturable absorber, the time it takes for for excitation to resolve after after stimulation by an energy source is referred to as recovery time. Ideally, the recovery time is some period longer than that of the pulse duration. This condition helps avoid undesired energy loss. However, if recovery time is too long, premature lasing can occur when the laser’s gain recovers and the saturable absorber is still ‘open.’ A good rule of thumb is to have a recovery time that is longer than the pulse duration, but shorter than the upper-state lifetime of the gain medium to avoid unwanted lasing and pulse issues.

You can find Active Q-Switch Lasers Here.

Our Products

RPMC offers a selection of passively Q-switched lasers, including Pulsed DPSS Lasers, Ultrafast Lasers, Microchip Lasers (Microlasers), and MIL-Spec. Lasers. Wavelength options include the UV, Blue, Green, NIR, and SWIR spectral regions, and pulse width options available from 40ns down to 7 ps.

Let Us Help

In conclusion, if you have any questions or would like some assistance please contact us here. Furthermore, you can email us at info@rpmclasers.com to talk to a knowledgeable Product Manager. Alternatively, use the filters on this page, or check out our ‘How to Select a Pulsed Laser‘ version of this page to assist in narrowing down the selection. Finally, head to our Knowledge Center with our Lasers 101 page and Blogs and Whitepapers pages for further, in-depth reading.

Suggested Reading

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Passive vs Active Q-Switching

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Series

Manufacturer

Picture Part Number Type Wavelength (nm) Output power (W) Pulse energy (uJ) Pulse width Rep rate Q-switch type
ER902 Mil-Spec Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 1535 0.002 200.0 4ns Single Shot to 10Hz Passive
KAUKAS 1 Mil-Spec Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 1534 0.005 1000.0 14ns Single Shot to 5Hz Passive
KAUKAS 2 Mil-Spec Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 1534 0.004 2000.0 11ns Single Shot to 2Hz Passive
KAUKAS 3 Mil-Spec Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 1534 0.003 3000.0 8ns Single Shot to 1Hz Passive
image of a sleek tunable laser platform NPS Pulsed DPSS Lasers, Ultrafast Lasers 266-1064, 700-1800 Tunable Up to 10 W Varies 7ps Up to 80 MHz Passive
One-1030-100: 1030nm Miniature Q-Switched Laser One CW DPSS Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 1047, 1030, 1064 Up to 4W Up to 200 µJ 5ns - 20ns Up to 30 kHz Passive
Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser SB1-1064 Microchip Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 1064 0.008, 0.012, 0.040, 0.110, 0.150, 0.200, 0.225, 0.400 2.0, 15.0, 20.0, 30.0, 40.0, 60.0, 80.0 400ps, 1.3ns 100Hz, 200Hz, 1kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 55kHz, 100kHz Passive
Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser SB1-236.5 Microchip Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 236.5 0.001 0.200, 2.0 1.3ns 500Hz, 5kHz Passive
Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser SB1-266 Microchip Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 266 0.002, 0.005 0.500, 1.0, 2.0 1.3ns 1kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz Passive
Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser SB1-355 Microchip Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 355 0.010 1.0 1.3ns 10kHz Passive
Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser SB1-473 Microchip Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 473 0.0009, 0.010, 0.015 1.0, 3.0, 9.0 2ns 100Hz, 5kHz, 10kHz Passive
Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser SB1-532 Microchip Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 532 0.004, 0.006, 0.010, 0.017, 0.020, 0.030, 0.040, 0.075, 0.100 0.300, 7.0, 10.0, 15.0, 20.0, 30.0, 40.0 400ps, 1.3ns 10Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 1kHz, 5kHz, 10kHz, 15kHz, 55kHz, 100kHz Passive
Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser SB1-946 Microchip Lasers, Pulsed DPSS Lasers 946 0.004, 0.060, 0.070, 0.105 7.0, 12.0, 35.0 2ns 100Hz, 5kHz, 10kHz Passive

ER Series

The ER Series offers an ultra-compact, ultra-low SWaP, and efficient solution for those seeking high-quality diode-pumped lasers for lightweight, handheld, and portable laser range finding applications. These lasers operate at an “eye-safe” wavelength of 1.5 µm and deliver high pulse energy up to 200 µJ with a 4 ns pulse width and repetition rates from single-shot up to 10Hz with optional burst mode. The ER Series is designed with a focus on high pulse energy, short pulse width, efficient operation, and long lifetime reliability with a 10M shot lifetime rating.

KAUKAS Series

The KAUKAS series is a compact, low-SWaP line of 1.54µm “eye-safe” Er:glass lasers. These nanosecond pulsed lasers feature a compact design that makes them suitable for integration into handheld, portable devices. The lasers deliver high pulse energy, repetition rates up to 5Hz, less than 3% energy stability, and a high-quality TEM00 beam. With configurable and customizable options, these features make the KAUKAS series a versatile choice for various applications such as LIDAR & laser ranging, LIBS, metrology, and instrumentation.

Nps Series

image of a sleek tunable laser platform

The NPS series of ultrafast, picosecond pulsed, narrowband lasers combine the air-cooled compactness & ruggedness of fiber lasers with the spectral purity of the DPSS design, providing the ultimate solution for OEM integrators and researchers working with nonlinear optics applications like OPO pumping and narrowband Raman spectroscopy. These lasers are available at 355, 532, and 1064nm (tunable option from 750-1800nm), with up to 10W average output power, 7ps pulse width, and are passively q-switched up to 80MHz rep. rate. The transform-limited operation, with a narrow spectral width of <0.1nm, and accurate central wavelengths make these lasers a suitable candidate for highly efficient amplification. Optional add-ons and customization available.

One Series

One-1030-100: 1030nm Miniature Q-Switched Laser

The One Series is an ultra-compact, rugged, versatile, nanosecond pulsed (up to 200µJ), passive q-switch laser series designed for OEM integrators and application specialists working with industrial and portable applications. These lasers provide sufficient peak power for extremely high-quality metal & plastic marking in compact & portable marking systems or for airborne LIDAR. With its compact & efficient contact-cooled package, attractive pricing, optional CW operation with up to 4 W average power, and configurable options & add-ons, this 1030nm series offers easy, flexible integration possibilities and exceptional, cost-effective performance for a range of applications.

Microchip Series

Bright Microlaser Microchip SB1 Laser

The Microchip series is a line of ultra-compact, single longitudinal mode (SLM), narrow linewidth, passive q-switch, ns/ps pulsed DPSS lasers. Offering exceptional performance and versatility in a compact form factor, every model is 1:1 interchangeable, regardless of wavelength. The lasers feature pulse widths from 400 ps to 2 ns, pulse energy up to 80 µJ, and repetition rates up to 100 kHz. Available in wavelengths from the UV to the NIR, this series is designed for LIDAR, 3D scanning, LIBS, night vision, and more.