Compact mode-locked solid-state lasers at 0.5- and 1-GHz repetition rates.

A compact laser system that combines a GaP mode locker and a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser to produce 1064-nm pulses at 0.5- and 1-GHz repetition rates is described. Extension of this research using a Ti:sapphire-pumped Nd:YLF laser is also presented. Stable optical 1047-nm pulses with durations of 6.2 psec at a l-GHz repetition rate have been produced.