A Q-switched laser system is disclosed. The laser system employs a
quasi-phase-matched electro-optic (QPM EO) crystal as the laser Q-switch.
When applied with a certain modulating electric field, the QPM EO crystal
can function as a polarization rotator to rotate the polarization
direction of the resonant laser beam in a polarization-dependent laser
resonator, thereby switching the laser resonator between high-loss and
low-loss cavity states to achieve laser Q-switching. Compared with
traditional electro-optic Q-switched laser system, the disclosed laser
system is characterized by a low switching-voltage, reduced cost, and
compactness. A quasi-phase-matched electro-optically Q-switched
wavelength-conversion and wavelength-tunable laser system is also
disclosed. The disclosed laser system integrates a QPM electro-optic
Q-switch and a QPM nonlinear wavelength converter in a single crystal
substrate to perform a high-efficiency intracavity wavelength conversion.
The disclosed laser system is therefore simple and compact and has lower
system requirements on wall-plug power and higher overall conversion
efficiency.