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Published on: November 22, 2019
840 mW continuous-wave Fe:ZnSe laser operating at 4140 nm
Jonathan W Evans1, Patrick A Berry, Kenneth L Schepler
1Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, 2241 Avionics Circle, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433, USA. jonathan.evans@wpafb.af.mil
Optics Letters
|January 22, 2013
Summary
High-power laser oscillation was achieved using iron-doped zinc selenide (Fe:ZnSe) crystals. This breakthrough offers efficient, continuous-wave operation for infrared laser applications.
Area of Science:
- Solid-state laser technology
- Infrared laser development
- Materials science
Background:
- Transition metal-doped II-VI semiconductors are promising for mid-infrared lasers.
- Previous research has explored Fe-doped II-VI materials for laser applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate continuous-wave (CW) laser oscillation from Fe2+ ions in zinc selenide (ZnSe).
- To characterize the performance of the Fe:ZnSe laser, including output power, spectrum, beam quality, and efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Fe2+:ZnSe crystal as the gain medium.
- Operated the laser in a continuous-wave (CW) mode.
- Measured output power, spectral characteristics (center wavelength, linewidth), beam quality (M2), and slope efficiency.
Main Results:
- Achieved high-power (840 mW) CW laser oscillation.
- Observed an output spectrum centered near 4140 nm with an 80 nm linewidth.
- Measured a beam quality of M2≤1.2 and a maximum slope efficiency of 47%.
- Attributed minor wavelength shifts to thermal effects, with no observed thermal roll-off in slope efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated the viability of Fe2+:ZnSe for high-power, efficient CW laser operation in the mid-infrared.
- The results indicate potential for robust performance without significant thermal degradation at high output levels.
- Fe:ZnSe lasers represent a promising technology for various infrared applications.
