Single-block pulse-on electro-optic Q-switch made of LiNbO3

A novel LiNbO3 (lithium niobate, LN) electro-optic (EO) Q-switch that can independently operate in the pulse-on regime without the assistance of a quarter-wave plate (QWP) or analyzer was designed and demonstrated. By theoretical analysis and calculations, the proper orientation of the LN was determined to be theta = 1.7 degrees and phi = +/- 45 degrees, and the quarter-wave voltage was identical to that of a conventional LN EO Q-switch. Additionally, the possible influences caused by the small angular variation between the wave normal and optic axis were found to be negligible. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a LN crystal has been (xztw)-1.2 degrees/1.2 degrees-cut and used successfully in a pulse-on cavity without using a QWP or analyzer. The performance of the novel Q-switched laser and its temperature dependence were verified to be almost identical to those of a conventional pulse-on LN EO Q-switched laser, which strongly demonstrates the practicability of our novel Q-switch. This novel Q-switch design enables a more compact, lossless and stable laser cavity, which is of great concern for engineering applications.