Publication:
Broadly tunable Cr4+ doped solid-state lasers in the near infrared and visible

Placeholder

Departments

School / College / Institute

Program

KU Authors

Co-Authors

Publication Date

Language

Type

Embargo Status

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Alternative Title

Abstract

This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of the characteristics of Cr4+-doped solid-state lasers which produce broadly tunable coherent radiation in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum between 1.13 and 1.63 mum. Cr4+-doped gain media have several - favorable characteristics including broad absorption bands that overlap with the operating wavelengths of several commercial pump lasers, a 4-level energy structure that allows continuous-wave as well as pulsed operation with low threshold pump powers, and the presence of broad amplification bands for the generation of ultrashort optical pulses. In addition, non-linear frequency conversion schemes can be readily employed to construct broadly tunable coherent visible sources based on Cr4+-doped gain media. These favorable features make Cr4+-doped lasers potentially important in many applications in optical communications, eye-safe imaging, medicine, and spectroscopy. After a description of the basic physical mechanisms that lead to broad emission in tunable solid-state lasers in general and Cr4+-doped gain media in particular, the manuscript provides a detailed description of the operational characteristics of Cr4+-doped lasers, including rate-equation analysis of power performance, role of thermal effects, and different mode-locking techniques for the generation of ultrashort optical pulses. Later sections focus on the work performed in the development and characterization of specific examples of Cr4+-doped lasers. Particular attention is given to Cr4+ :forsterite and Cr4+ XAG laser systems due to their superior power performance. Gain-switched, continuous-wave, and mode-locked operations of these lasers are described with a particular emphasis on recent developments. Studies carried out with other Cr4+-doped lasers such as Cr4+ :Y2SiO5, Cr4+-doped oxyapatite, Cr4+- doped garnets, and Cr4+:Ca2GeO4 are also described. Finally, use of non-linear conversion schemes in the generation of visible radiation with Cr4+-doped lasers is discussed. In particular, experiments that have been performed with pulsed and continuous-wave Cr4+:forsterite lasers to generate broadly tunable radiation in the 565-685 nm range of the electromagnetic spectrum are reviewed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source

Publisher

Elsevier

Subject

Engineering, electrical and electronic, Quantum science and technology, Optics

Citation

Has Part

Source

Progress in Quantum Electronics

Book Series Title

Edition

DOI

10.1016/S0079-6727(02)00016-2

item.page.datauri

Link

Rights

Copyrights Note

Endorsement

Review

Supplemented By

Referenced By

0

Views

0

Downloads

View PlumX Details