Why is it that so much more power can be obtained from a Qsw

Why is it that so much more power can be obtained from a Q-switched laser than in ordinary continuous-wave operation? Suppose a Q-switched laser using a rotating mirror or a storable absorber is pumped continuously. How do you expect the laser to behave?

Solution

a)Q-switched laser pumps the gain medium for some time while preventing lasing thus allowing the energy to build up. When the enrgy reaches a certain threshold value the lasing action begins producing laser beam of high power which it has build up when there was no lasing action. For continous wave operation there is no such build up of power and lasing takes place at constant lower power.

b) If a Q-switched laser is pumped continously then much of the enrgy will be lost due to spontaneous emission.There may be losses due to non-radiative process also.