A continuous-wave Fe²⁺:ZnSe laser

Abstract

A continuous-wave oscillation is obtained for the first time in a Fe2+:ZnSe laser. The laser wavelength was in the range from 4.04 to 4.08 μm. A liquid-nitrogen-cooled active element was pumped by a Cr2+:CdSe laser at 2.97 μm. The maximum output power of the laser was 160 mW with the 56% slope efficiency. The minimum absorbed pump power threshold was 18 mW. The intrinsic losses in the Fe2+:ZnSe crystal did not exceed 0.024 cm-1 during lasing.