  We demonstrate the operation of an ultra low repetition rate, high peak
power, picosecond diode pumped Nd:YVO4 passively mode locked laser oscillator.
Repetition rates even below 1 MHz were achieved with the use of a new design
multiple-pass cavity and a semiconductor saturable absorber. Long term stable
operation at 1.2 MHz, pulse duration of 16.3 ps and average output power of 470
mW corresponding to 24 KW peak power pulses is reported. This is, to our
knowledge, the lowest repetition rate high peak power pulses ever generated
directly from a picosecond laser resonator without cavity dumping.
