Tm: YAlO3 Laser Pumped ZGP Mid-IR Source

Abstract

We report on the experimental achievements of a high power, high efficiency Tm: YAlO3 laser repetitively Q-switched at 10 kHz used to drive a ZnGeP2 OPO. The system is run with room temperature components and achieves over 3 W at 3-5 µm with an efficiency of 5% starting from the pump diode. A two crystal resonator design allows tuning over multiple spectral peaks or alternately as an ultra broad spectral source.