Abstract
Solid state lasers with the radiation output in 1.5-3 μm spectral region are widely used for various medical applications due to strong absorption of water in biological tissues. Efficient laser oscillation of Ho3+ ions at 5I6 - 5I7 transition in YSGG crystal co-doped with Yb3+ and Cr3+ ions was demonstrated in 2.84-3.05 μm spectral range [1, 2]. The lifetime of the upper laser level 5I6 (0.47 ms) is shorter than that for the lower level 5I7 (9.8 ms), hence there is a self-limited laser transition. The flash lamp pulses efficiently excites Cr3+ ions which transfers the excitation to 2F5/2 energy level of Yb3+ ion and further to 5I6 level of Ho3+. The Q-switching operation of three micron Ho3+Yb3+Cr3+:YSGG laser was demonstrated using LiNbO3 [3], KTP electro-optic [4] elements, indium arsenide epitaxial layer and water cell passive Q-switches [3]. Fe-doped ZnSe crystal is known to be an effective active element for tunable high power mid IR lasers with maximum at 4.35 μm [4,5]. It has broad absorption band with maximum at 3.1 μm; the excited state room temperature lifetime is 370 ns [4]. This allows to use them as a passive Q-switch of Ho doped lasers.
© 2017 IEEE
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