Abstract

Applications in full-color laser displays raise intense interest in the development of compact-all-solid-state-lasers to produce radiation in the visible spectral region. A promising way of generating visible output is to exploit upconversion processes in infrared-pumped rare-earth-doped crystals and optical fibers or to frequency-double the IR-output of such materials. Up to now, laser output in the red spectral range could be achieved at room-temperature in Tm³⁺:LiYF₄(YLF) at 650 nm and in Yb³ -sensitized Tm³⁺:BaY₂F₈ at 649 nm under continuous-wave upconversion pumping [1,2]. Continuous-wave red output at room-temperature could also be demonstrated under dual-wavelength infrared pumping in a Pr³⁺-doped fluoride fiber at 635 nm [3] and under upconversion pumping in a Pr³⁺/Yb³⁺-doped ZBLAN fiber at 615 and 635 nm [4]. Recently, upconversion pumped laser oscillation at 639.5 nm was demonstrated in Pr³⁺,Yb³⁺:YLF [5].

© 1996 IEEE