Patent ID: 7769059

Claim:
A laser system comprising: a resonant cavity that defines an optical path within which electromagnetic radiation is processed prior to being emitted from the laser system; and a Q-switch disposed along the optical path defined by the resonant cavity, the Q-switch being configured such that a mode of operation of the Q-switch is based on a trigger signal, wherein a first mode of operation of the Q-switch comprises a laser-ready mode during which an optical transmittance of the Q-switch is maintained at or near the lowest optical transmittance attainable by the Q-switch, wherein a second mode of operation of the Q-switch comprises a pulse-on mode during which the optical transmittance of the Q-switch is modulated with a predetermined frequency and amplitude, and wherein in response to an indication in the trigger signal for the mode of operation of the Q-switch to change from laser-ready mode to pulse-on mode, the Q-switch operates such that before the Q-switch commences operating in the pulse-on mode of operation, the optical transmittance of the Q-switch ramps up gradually from the optical transmittance of the Q-switch during the laser-ready mode to an optical transmittance substantially larger than the optical transmittance of the Q-switch during the laser-ready mode.