[en] Diode-end-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:GGG laser in a ring cavity at 1062 nm was demonstrated. Single-longitudinal-mode laser linewidth less than 0.5 pm was accomplished by unidirectional operation. The maximum output pulse energy was 437 µJ and the pulse width was 43 ns when Cr⁴⁺:YAG with an initial transmission of 61% was used. (letter)

[en] Three-dimensional X-ray imaging of living specimens is challenging due to the limited resolution of conventional absorption contrast X-ray imaging and potential irradiation damage of biological specimens. In this letter, we present microtomography of a living specimen combining phase-contrast imaging and a Fourier-based iterative algorithm termed equally sloped tomography. Non-destructive 3D imaging of an anesthetized living yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor was demonstrated with a relatively low dose using synchrotron generated X-rays. Based on the high-quality 3D images, branching tracheoles and different tissues of the insect in a natural state were identified and analyzed, demonstrating a significant advantage of the technique over conventional X-ray radiography or histotomy. Additionally, the insect survived without problem after a 1.92-s X-ray exposure and subsequent absorbed radiation dose of ∼1.2 Gy. No notable physiological effects were observed after reviving the insect from anesthesia. The improved static tomographic method demonstrated in this letter shows advantage in the non-destructive structural investigation of living insects in three dimensions due to the low radiation dose and high resolution capability, and offers many potential applications in biological science.

[en] A high power YAG/Nd:YAG/YAG ceramic planar waveguide laser was demonstrated. For continuous wave regime, a maximum output power of 10.4 W at a center wavelength of 1064.6 nm was obtained under an absorbed pump power of 17.4 W, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 59.8%. For acousto-optically Q -switched operation, we obtained 2.5 W of output power at a pulse repetition frequency of 10 kHz. The pulse duration was 6.5 ns with peak power and pulse energy of 38.5 kW and 0.25 mJ, respectively. (letter)

[en] A diode-end-pumped passively Q -switched Nd:LuAG laser at 1442.6 nm was demonstrated with a V³⁺:YAG crystal as the saturable absorber. Under continuous-wave (CW) operation, the maximum output power of 1.83 W was obtained with an absorbed pumping power of 11.1 W. The corresponding optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was 16.5%. Under Q -switched operation, the maximum average output power of 424 mW was obtained at the same pumping power. The pulse duration and pulse repetition rate were 72 ns and 17.4 kHz, respectively. (letter)