Low-repetition-rate high-energy passively Q-switched Nd:YAG solid laser based on graphene saturable absorber operating at 1064nm

We presented that the graphene could be used as an excellent saturable absorber for Q-switched solid-state lasers. A graphene-PVA saturable absorber is fabricated by using the vertical evaporation method, which provides excellent optics characteristic and easy operation and there are no changes in the structure and characteristics of graphene. Using the graphene-PVA composite saturable absorber into diode side-pumped Nd:YAG laser, the shortest pulse width of 584ns with the pulse energy of 21.98 mu J and the maximum peak power 37.63W have been obtained. The experimental results prove that our graphene-PVA saturable absorber film is feasible and suitable for Q-switched lasers.