Fe:ZnSe laser - comparison of active materials grown by two different methods

Abstract

The aim of the presented project was comparison of two Fe:ZnSe lasers based on Fe:ZnSe bulk active crystals grown by two different methods - Bridgman and floating zone. For pumping the Q-switched Er:YAG laser generating 15 mJ and 300 ns giant pulses was used. The highest Fe:ZnSe laser generated output energy was 1.2 - 1.3 mJ for both investigated crystals, the pulse duration was 150 - 200 ns. The Fe:ZnSe laser threshold was reached at absorbed pumping energy of ~ 1 mJ. Tuning properties using intracavity CaF₂ prism were also investigated and tuning range ~ 4 - 5 μm was observed for both crystals.