Cr:ZnSe laser incorporating anti-reflection microstructures exhibiting low-loss, damage-resistant lasing at near quantum limit efficiency

Abstract

We report demonstration of efficient continuous-wave lasing from chromium-doped zinc selenide using anti-reflection microstructures (ARMs) in place of thin-film AR coatings or Brewster angle cavity geometries. ARM textures are more resistant to laser-induced damage than coatings, exhibit low-loss, wide angular acceptance, broad wavelength effectiveness, and are not susceptible to water absorption. Slope-efficiencies of 68% were achieved, which compares favorably to the thin-film control samples at 58% for the same cavity. ARMs hold promise for near-term power scaling and wavelength agility of transition-metal-ion doped II-VI lasers.