How does the average power differ in gated vs. free running pulsed modes?

In pulsed laser systems, the average power is influenced significantly by the mode of operation. In free running pulsed mode, the laser continuously emits pulses at a set pulse repetition frequency. The energy in each individual pulse contributes to a higher average power output because the system operates without interruption, allowing for a greater cumulative energy delivery over time.

In contrast, gated mode refers to a configuration where the laser is activated or "gated" to emit pulses only during certain intervals or conditions. This gating inherently limits the time that the laser is allowed to output, and as a result, the average power tends to be lower than in the free running mode. The laser is effectively turned off during the gaps between the pulsed emissions, which reduces the overall energy delivered over the same timeframe.

Thus, the average power is consistently higher in the free running pulsed mode due to the continuous nature of the pulse emissions compared to the regulated output in gated mode.