Mid-infrared lasing from Ho^3+ in bulk InF_3 glass

Abstract

We report on an Ho³⁺:InF₃ glass laser pumped by a Cr³⁺:LiSAF laser emitting at 889 nm. Ho³⁺:InF₃ glass is a promising material for direct mid-infrared lasers around 4 μm. To evaluate the performances of this new material, we compared it to an Ho³⁺:BYF crystalline laser pumped by the same source. At 650 mJ pump energy, 7.2 mJ (46 mJ) was obtained with Ho³⁺:InF₃ (Ho³⁺:BYF), respectively. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported laser activity in this type of glass.