Quasi-linear polarized high-efficient diode-end-pumped actively Q-switched Nd:YAG/Nd:YVO4 laser.

• The dual-crystal hybrid gain laser can operate efficiently across a broad pulse repetition frequencies range. • Quasi-linear polarized light was achieved without the aid of additional polarized optical components. We propose and experimentally demonstrate a high-efficient and high-polarization-ratio acousto-optic (AO) Q-switched dual-crystal hybrid gain laser. Combing the advantages of Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO 4 crystals, it exhibits excellent power performance across a broad pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) range while maintaining satisfactory polarization characteristics without the aid of additional polarized optical components. Under 42.00-W incident pump power, the maximum average output power rises from 12.10 W to 19.64 W as the PRFs variates from 10 kHz to 200 kHz. The corresponding optical-to-optical efficiency increases from 28.81% to 46.76%. The pulse durations at maximum average output powers are 28.2 ns, 17.2 ns and 24.2 ns, respectively, when the laser operates at the PRFs of 10 kHz, 110 kHz and 200 kHz. The laser polarization ratios at maximum average output power are accordingly ∼7.6, ∼10, and ∼11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]