A Q-switch structure including, a solid-state laser medium, and a magneto-optical material, wherein the solid-state laser medium and the magneto-optical material are joined and integrated. In addition, the solid-state laser medium has a thickness of 1 mm or more, and the solid-state medium and the magneto-optical material are directly joined. Consequently, the Q-switch is applicable to high optical output and contributes to the miniaturization of a laser apparatus.

A method of operating a q-switch RE,XAB laser includes: providing a pump bias current to a pump source, the pump source directed to an RE:XAB gain medium, the RE:XAB gain medium within a resonator cavity, where X is selected from Ca, Lu, Yb, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ga, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, and where RE is selected from Lu, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Pr, Tm, Cr, Ho, with a bias current level below a lasing threshold of the RE:XAB gain medium; providing a pump pulse to the gain medium, the pump pulse of the lasing threshold of the RE:XAB gain medium, the pump pulse causing the RE:XAB gain medium to emit a laser pulse; and reducing 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.

A Q-switch structure including a solid-state laser medium and a magneto-optical material. The solid-state laser medium and the magneto-optical material are joined and integrated, a first anti-reflecting film for adhesive is formed on a surface of the solid-state laser medium, and a second anti-reflecting film for adhesive is formed on a surface of the magneto-optical material. The first anti-reflecting film for adhesive on the solid-state laser medium and the second anti-reflecting film for adhesive on the magneto-optical material are bonded via a translucent material having a transparency at a laser oscillation wavelength of laser oscillated from the solid-state laser medium. This provides the Q-switch that contributes to the miniaturization of a laser apparatus and has high beam quality.