Passive Q-Switching of a Yb:LuVO_4 Laser with Cr^4+:YAG: Approaching the Intrinsic Upper Limit of Repetition Rate

We demonstrate a diode pumped Yb:LuVO_4 laser that can be passively Q-switched by a Cr^4+:YAG saturable absorber having an initial transmission as high as 99.3%. A maximum pulsed output power of 2.35 W is generated at a repetition rate of 285.7 kHz, approaching or very near the intrinsic upper limit imposed by the recovery time of the Cr^4+:YAG saturable absorber, and the resulting pulse energy, duration and peak power are, respectively, 8.2 \muJ, 39.2 ns and 0.209 kW.