What is an array? What does pulse-pumped mean? While most of these terms are familiar to people in the laser industry, here are a few commonly used terms that you will come across on this Web site, as defined by CEO®:

Pulsed diode arrays
Pulsed diode laser arrays are used to pump systems, such as the AO Q-switched and EO Q-switched lasers. The diode array is turned-on from 100 to 300 microseconds, and can usually be operated in just about any manner < 20% duty factor (on time). These types of diode arrays, if operated correctly, should live for billions of pulses.

CW (Continuous Wave) diode arrays
These arrays are turned on and left on continuously. They can operate for thousands of hours.

Free running pulse-pumped laser
In a free running or "long pulsed" mode, this laser emits pulses that are controllable from 0 to 350 microseconds. Generally, there is more energy in the leading edge of the pulse. 

EO Q-switched, pulse-pumped laser
Electro-Optic (EO) Q-switched lasers can emit pulses from 5 to 50 nanoseconds in length. Lasers such as these can be operated from 1 to 1000 Hz. 

AO Q-switched, pulse-pumped lasers
These lasers operate almost identically to a free running pulse-pumped laser, except that during the long pulse, the AO Q-switch causes the laser to emit pulses (at 1-100 kHz) during the time the laser is on. The laser can be operated up to 2000 bursts per second. The system employs pulsed diode arrays and enables you to achieve significantly higher peak powers, which is well suited for micro-machining tasks, such as drilling certain hard materials. 

AO Q-switched, CW pumped lasers
These lasers emit pulses at 1 Hz, up to 100 kHz. Pulses are approximately 50 nanoseconds at 1 kHz, and 300 nanoseconds at 50 kHz. 

CW pumped, CW lasers
These lasers emit continuously.