Tunable mid-infrared laser properties of Cr2+:ZnMgSe and Fe2+:ZnSe crystals

The laser properties of Bridgman method grown active crystals Cr2+:ZnMgSe and Fe2+:ZnSe were investigated at room temperature from the point of view of laser parameters. Cr2+ :ZnMgSe crystal was pumped by the 1.66 mu m wavelength radiation of pulsed Er3+:YAP laser. The maximum reached energy and slope efficiency with respect to absorbed pump energy was 4 mJ and 15%, respectively. The Cr2+:ZnMgSe laser oscillation spectrum was about 90 nm wide and centered at 2.47 mu m. With the CaF2 prism placed inside the laser resonator the tuning within 2.3-2.6 mu m range was demonstrated. The pumping of Fe2+:ZnSe crystal was made by Q-switched Er:YAG laser radiation with die wavelength 2.94 mu m. The measured energy was 0.58 mJ with measured maximum output Fe2+:ZnSe the generated wavelengths 4.3-4.6 mu m and with a slope efficiency in respect to absorbed energy of 38%. The study demonsirates quite promising perspectives of the Bridgman-technique-grown Cr2+:ZnMgSe and Fe2+:ZnSe crystals for development of the efficient at room-temperature working mid-IR tunable laser sources.