Abstract

A new Cr laser host SCBO₃ has been discovered. High laser quality single crystals have been grown. A free running laser wavelength of 843 nm has been measured in a nearly concentric cavity pumped by a krypton ion laser at 647.1 nm. With a single element birefringent filter, a tuning range of 778-892 nm was achieved using the first optically clear crystal. Some extension of the tuning range is expected with improved crystal quality. The Cr³⁺ ion ⁴T₂ fluorescence extends from 720 nm to 1000 nm with a peak at 815 nm. The fluorescence lifetime at room temperature is 115 us which is comparatively long for such low crystal field host.

© 1986 Optical Society of America