Cascade Er:YAG pulsed lasers at room temperature

Cascaded mid-infrared (MIR) pulsed laser output in Er:YAG crystals at room temperature is achieved experimentally. The existence of a cascade at room temperature in Er:YAG crystals is confirmed. Furthermore, the effect of the cascade on MIR laser performance is studied. With the assistance of the cascade, the thresholds are reduced by 13.3% and 12.5%, and the slope efficiencies are increased by 3.2% and 12.3% compared to a non-cascade configuration in 10 and 15 at.% Er:YAG, respectively. The excited-state absorption is considered to be the mechanism responsible for the laser performance optimization. This Letter should be helpful for the improvement of erbium-doped 3 mu m laser output energy. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America

Automated summary

Experimental realization of cascaded mid-infrared pulsed laser output in erbium-doped Er:YAG crystals at room temperature is achieved, confirming the existence of a cascade effect and studying its impact on laser performance enhancement. The cascade assists in reducing thresholds and increasing slope efficiencies, with excited-state absorption mechanism believed to be responsible for laser performance optimization. This research contributes to the improvement of erbium-doped 3 μm laser output energy.