Efficient cw optically pumped Ni:MgF_2 laser

Abstract

A cw Ni:MgF(2) solid-state laser, optically pumped by a Nd:YAG laser, has been operated in the range 1.63 to 1.75microm. Under various operating conditions, output powers up to 1.7 W, power efficiencies up to 37%, and lasing at a crystal temperature of 200 K have been achieved. Fully damped relaxation oscillations have been observed, which indicate a distributed loss coefficient of 0.003 cm(-1).