Pulsed laser systems can be realized with active or passive Q-switching. There are the following options for realizing such systems: While actively Q-switched systems consist of acousto-optic or electro-optic modulators, passively Q-switched systems use saturable absorbers such as Cr:YAG, (for lasers with a wavelength of approx. 1 µm). The most common Q-switched lasers in this range are Nd:YAG, Nd:_YVO4 and Nd:YLF. Er:YAG and Tu-doped crystals are available for longer wavelengths.

In addition to the single-crystal Cr:YAG absorber, IMPEX also offers integrated variants as bonded crystals.