Of all the Q-switching methods employed to operate a laser in giant pulse mode one of the simplest and most regularly used methods involves a rotating Porro prism. In this Thesis, experimental results are reported which show good agreement with predictions based on a rate equation model. The results indicate that it is possible to design a rotating prism Q-switched laser on the basis of those rate equations, and that the design when realized, should perform close to expectations. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)