US Patent 9397469 Er,Yb:YAB laser system

A method of operating a q-switch Er,Yb:YAB laser includes providing a pump bias current to a pump source, the pump source output directed to an Er,Yb:YAB gain medium where the Er,Yb:YAB gain medium is in a resonator cavity. The bias current at or below a lasing threshold of the Er,Yb:YAB gain medium. Providing a pump pulse to the gain medium, the pump pulse over the lasing threshold of the Er,Yb:YAB gain medium, the pump pulse causing the Er,Yb:YAB gain medium to emit a laser pulse. Reducing the pump bias current, wherein the pump current reduction brings the pump bias current to at least below the gain medium lasing threshold, the combination of the pump bias, the pump pulse, and the pump reduction having a current profile.