Efficient mid-infrared laser under different excitation pump wavelengths

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Solid-State Lasers
• Mid-Infrared Photonics

Background:

• Erbium-doped materials are crucial for laser applications.
• Mid-infrared lasers are valuable for spectroscopy and medical applications.
• Upconversion processes enable emission at shorter wavelengths than excitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a 2.8 μm laser in an Erbium-doped Strontium Fluoride (Er3+:SrF2) crystal.
• To analyze laser performance under different excitation wavelengths (972 nm and 1532 nm).
• To explore efficient upconversion energy transfer for mid-infrared laser generation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a lightly doped Er3+:SrF2 crystal.
• Employed two excitation pump wavelengths: 972 nm and 1532 nm.
• Analyzed laser output power and slope efficiency.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum output power of 814 mW with 972 nm excitation.
• Obtained a slope efficiency of 30.4% for the 972 nm pumped laser.
• Demonstrated laser emission at 2.8 μm under 1532 nm excitation via upconversion.

Conclusions:

• The Er3+:SrF2 crystal is effective for 2.8 μm laser operation.
• Upconversion energy transfer provides an efficient route for mid-infrared laser emission.
• This technique offers potential for compact and efficient mid-infrared upconversion lasers.