Continuous-wave room-temperature laser oscillation of Cr(3+):MgO

Continuous-wave laser oscillation of Cr(3+):MgO at room temperature was realized under argon-ion laser pumping at 476 and 514 nm. The free-running laser wavelength was 840 nm, and with different mirror sets laser oscillation at 824, 830, 870, and 878 nm was also realized. With different crystals a maximum output power of 48 mW and a lowest threshold with respect to the absorbed pump power of 80 mW were realized. The slope efficiencies with respect to the absorbed pump power were as high as 2.3%. No thermal effects were observed for absorbed pump powers as great as 2.7 W.