Mid-IR Transition Metal Lasers (Postprint)
Abstract
Transition metal ions have been of great interest from the beginning of laser development because of their broadband emission. The first demonstration of a transition metal laser used Ni2+ as the active ion in 1963. Other transition metal ions such as Co2+ have also been developed as lasers but low cross sections and the need for cryogenic cooling to achieve high efficiency hindered their transition from discovery to applications. The 1995 innovation of pairing Cr2+ with a host that has tetrahedral symmetry substitution sites led to demonstration of broadly tunable, room temperature, mid-IR lasers. Progress in advancing this class of transition metal laser to output power of 18 W, tuning range to several hundred nanometers, and modelocked operation down to 100 fsec will be reviewed. Plans for future development in the areas of femtosecond pulse operation, high speed frequency tuning, fiber format, and direct electronic pumping will be discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA473274
Entities
People
- Kenneth L Schepler
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory