Compact Nd:YAP/V:YAG nanosecond pulse generator at 1342 nm

A compact Q-switched laser with a separate Nd:YAP gain part and V:YAG saturable absorber was designed constructed. The use of crystal may have certain advantages, such as polarization wavelength stability, over the more common Nd:YAG active medium. Constructed Nd:YAP/V:YAG provides linearly polarized radiation at 1342 nm. Stable pulses 12 ns long energy up to almost 0.2 mJ were generated. This system could serve an eye-safe source long-range high-resolution LIDAR for autonomous vehicle control.