Tunable, single-frequency, and multi-watt continuous-wave Cr2+:ZnSe lasers

We demonstrate CW rapidly-tunable (4.5 mu m/s), highpower (150 mW), single-longitudinal-mode (120 MHz) single-crystalline Cr2+:ZnSe laser; CW widely-tunable (2.12 -2.77 mu m), multi-watt (2 W over 2.3-2.7 mu m), polycrystalline Cr2+:ZnSe laser; CW multi-watt (6 W, at 2.5 mu m), highly efficient (48% real efficiency) polycrystalline Cr-2+:ZnSe laser; CW multi-watt (3 W, at 2.5 mu m), highly efficient (41% real efficiency) ultra-compact polycrystalline Cr2+:ZnSe laser; and CW hot-pressed ceramic Cr2+:ZnSe laser. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.