Compact mid-infrared Cr:ZnSe channel waveguide laser

Abstract

We demonstrate a mid-infrared channel waveguide laser in Cr:ZnSe operating at 2573 nm. The compact cavity has a total footprint of less than 3 cm2 and produces a maximum power output of 18.5 mW. The depressed index cladding structures guide across the entire emission band of Cr:ZnSe, from 1.9 μm to 3.4 μm, indicating the viability of the device for integrated and robust continuously tunable mid-infrared sources.