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The development of a pulsed laser system which generates multiple synchronized output pulses on both a picosecond and nanosecond time scales is described. The system consists of a mode-locked Nd:YAG oscillator-amplifier system and a Q-switched Nd:YAG and Nd:Glass system synchronized by a versatile switching technique. The unique features of this laser include the synchronization of two 200 mJ 30 psec pulses with separation variable between 0 and 10 nsec with a shuttered portion of a Q-switched pulse variable in length from 5 to 30 nsec and with energy in the range of 1 to 10 J. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The electronic nonlinear refractive index in Cs Vapor at 1.06µ is shown to be negative and to consist of two distinct contributions. One of these arises from a two-photon resonance in the susceptibility, and can be made comparable in magnitude to the positive n2 in laser glass. The other term arises from population redistribution between the ground and the first excited state. We present preliminary measurements of self defocusing of a single pulse from a Nd:YAG mode locked laser which are in agreement with the theoretical predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]