A pulsed ruby laser with individually Q-switched multiple cavities

Abstract

Four individuallyQ-switched laser cavities have been established sharing a common ruby laser rod. Single giant pulses have been emitted with a time duration of ≈ 30 ns (half-width) and energies of 0.16 J from each cavity apertured by a 2.54-mm-diameter hole. The spacing of the pulses was continuously variable in time from 0 to 1.25 ms plus or minus a jitter time of approximately 13 ns. This multiple-cavity laser light source can be used as a stroboscopic illuminator for photographic or holographic recording of fast events.