Efficient room-temperature operation of Cr3+-sensitized,flashlamp-pumped, 2µm lasers |
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Authors: | Quarles Gregory J Rosenbaum Annette Abella Isaac D Marquardt Charles L Esterowitz Leon |
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Institution: | 1.Naval Research Laboratory,Washington, DC,USA;2.SFA Inc.,Landover,USA;3.Navy-ASEE Summer Faculty,University of Chicago,Chicago,USA |
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Abstract: | Utilizing the results of Cr3+ → Tm3+ transfer efficiency studies, we have demonstrated that yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) is the preferred host for room-temperature, flashlamp-pumped solid-state lasers operating in the 2.0 µm spectral range. We report data on two different sensitizer-activator combinations in YAG and yttrium scandium gallium garnet (YSGG) laser materials: one is doped with Cr:Tm:Ho and operates on the Ho3+5I7 →5I8 transition at 2.097 µm; the other is doped only with Cr:Tm, which lases on the Tm3+3F4 →3H6 transition at 2.014 µm. We have achieved a slope efficiency of 5.1% with the Cr:Tm:Ho:YAG laser, which is the highest slope efficiency yet reported for a room-temperature, flashlamp-pumped, 2 µm solid-state laser. We have measured thresholds as low as 38 J and output energies >1.5 J for that system. We also report the first room-temperature operation of an efficient flashlamp-pumped Cr:Tm:YAG laser at 2.014 µm. Thresholds as low as 43 J, output energies exceeding 2 J, and slope efficiencies as high as 4.5% have been achieved. This is an order of magnitude higher than the efficiency previously reported for a 2.01 µm Cr:Tm:YAG laser operated at cryogenic temperatures. These two efficient 2 µm laser systems (Cr:Tm:Ho:YAG and Cr:Tm:YAG) are discussed in terms of their potential for Q-switched operation. |
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