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Photonics Dictionary

Q-switching

Q-switching, short for "quenching-switching," is a technique used in lasers to generate short, high-energy pulses of light. The term "Q" refers to the quality factor of the laser cavity, which represents the energy stored in the cavity relative to the energy lost per round-trip.

In a Q-switched laser, the cavity's quality factor (Q-factor) is intentionally reduced or "quenched" to a low value, typically by introducing a loss mechanism into the cavity. This loss mechanism prevents the buildup of laser oscillations, inhibiting the emission of light. As a result, the energy from the pump source accumulates within the laser medium, increasing the population inversion and storing energy in the gain medium.

Once the population inversion reaches a sufficiently high level, the Q-switch is rapidly switched from its high-loss to low-loss state. This sudden change in cavity conditions allows for the rapid release of the stored energy, resulting in the generation of a high-intensity pulse of laser light. The duration of the pulse is typically very short, on the order of nanoseconds or even picoseconds, depending on the specific Q-switching technique used.

Q-switching is commonly employed in various laser systems to produce pulses with extremely high peak powers, making it valuable for applications such as laser machining, material processing, medical procedures, and research in fields such as spectroscopy and nonlinear optics. The ability to generate short, intense pulses with Q-switching enables precise control and manipulation of laser energy, leading to a wide range of practical and scientific advancements.
 
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