Abstract

Single-frequency Tm,Ho: YAG and Tm:YAG lasers operating near 2 μm are attractive sources for several applications including eyesafe laser radar (lidar) and pumping of AgGaSe₂ parametric oscillators for efficient generation of longer wavelengths. As part of a program to develop a coherent lidar system using Tm,Ho: YAG lasers, we have developed a diode laser-pumped, tunable, CW, single-longitudinal-mode (SLH) Cr:Tm:Ho: YAG laser and a flashlamp-pumped, single-transverse-mode, Q-switched Cr,Tm,Ho: YAG laser. The CW laser has been used to injection seed the flashlamp-pumped laser, resulting in SLM Q-switched output. Operational characteristics of the CW and Q-switched lasers and injection-seeding results are reported here.

© 1990 Optical Society of America