Optically Pumped Mid-Infrared Stimulated Emission of ZnSe:Cr Crystals
V.Yu. Ivanov a , M. Godlewski a,b , A. Szczerbakow a , A. Omel'chuk c , A. Davydov d , N. Zhavoronkov d and G. Raciukaitis e
a Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Lotników 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland
b Dept. of Mathematics and Natural Sciences College of Science Cardinal S. Wyszyński University, Warsaw, Poland
c Institute of Semiconductor Physics NASU Prospekt Nauki 45 Kiev, 252028, Ukraine
d Research Institute of Material Science, Zelenograd, Moscow, Russia
e Institute of Physics, Savanoriu Ave., 231Vilnius, 02300 Lithuania
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We demonstrate that ZnSe:Cr is an excellent solid state laser material for mid-infrared region with a broad amplification band from 2.2μm to 3μm, and with a high quantum efficiency of a radiative recombination. 46% external total efficiency and 56mW threshold power were achieved, when pumped with a CW YAlO:Ho laser at resonant excitation conditions. Such laser system can have widespread applications in medicine as laser scalpels with regulated cutting depth. We further demonstrate a stimulated emission under Cr 2+ to 1+ photo-ionization pumping. The latter opens chances for laser emission under carrier injection conditions.
DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.105.553
PACS numbers: 42.55.Px, 42.55.Rz, 42.62.Be, 78.55.Et