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Red Sm:KGd(WO4)2 laser at 649 nm
Optics Letters
|September 14, 2023
Summary
We achieved the first red laser operation using a samarium-doped potassium gadolinium tungstate crystal. This new laser source offers potential for various applications requiring red light emission.
Area of Science:
- Laser physics
- Solid-state spectroscopy
- Materials science
Background:
- Samarium (Sm3+) doped crystals are investigated for laser applications.
- Monoclinic KGd(WO4)2 (potassium gadolinium tungstate) is a promising host material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the first laser operation of Sm3+-doped KGd(WO4)2 in the red spectral range.
- To characterize the laser performance and spectroscopic properties.
Main Methods:
- Laser oscillation was achieved by pumping a 0.8 at.% Sm:KGd(WO4)2 crystal with a frequency-doubled optically pumped semiconductor laser (2ω-OPSL) at 479.1 nm.
- Spectroscopic properties of Sm3+ ions were measured.
- Laser output power, threshold, slope efficiency, and polarization were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The Sm:KGd(WO4)2 laser operated at 649.1 nm (4G5/2 → 6H9/2 transition) with up to 17.6 mW output power.
- A slope efficiency of 16.9% and a low laser threshold of 29 mW were achieved.
- The laser exhibited self-pulsing behavior with microsecond pulses at a few kHz repetition rate and linear polarization.
Conclusions:
- Sm:KGd(WO4)2 is a viable material for red laser generation.
- The laser's performance characteristics make it suitable for potential applications.
- Further investigation into the polarized spectroscopic properties of Sm3+ ions in this host is valuable.
