Spectroscopic characterization of Fe:ZnAl2O4, Fe:MgAl2O4 and Fe:InP crystals for mid-IR laser applications

Vladimir Fedorov; Bryce K. Coyne; Krishna Karki; Stanislav Balabanov; Alexander Belyaev; Viktor Smolski; Shova Subedi; Sergey Mirov

doi:10.1117/12.2546501

21 February 2020 Spectroscopic characterization of Fe:ZnAl₂O₄, Fe:MgAl₂O₄ and Fe:InP crystals for mid-IR laser applications

Vladimir Fedorov, Bryce K. Coyne, Krishna Karki, Stanislav Balabanov, Alexander Belyaev, Viktor Smolski, Shova Subedi, Sergey Mirov

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11259, Solid State Lasers XXIX: Technology and Devices; 112591A (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2546501
Event: SPIE LASE, 2020, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

There is strong demand for effective gain materials for the 3.0-3.9 μm spectral range not nicely covered by Cr:ZnSe and Fe:ZnSe amplification bands. We characterized, Fe:ZnAl₂O₄ ceramic sample, Fe:MgAl₂O₄ and Fe:InP single crystals as promising laser materials for this mid-IR spectral range. In all crystals, the absorption bands corresponding to ⁵E↔⁵T₂ transition of Fe²⁺ ions in the tetrahedral sites were measured. In addition, absorption band of Fe²⁺ ions in the octahedral sites were observed in Fe:ZnAl₂O₄ sample with maximum absorption cross-section at ~1.0 μm. From the absorption measurements, the radiative lifetime of Fe:MgAl₂O₄ was calculated to be 60 μs. Saturation absorption of Fe²⁺ ions in Fe:ZnAl₂O₄ was studied using Ho:YAG@2.09 μm and Er:YAG@2.94 μm lasers. Saturation measurements were taken up to energy density of 2 J/cm² and showed no saturation of absorption. This can be explained by a fast non-radiative (<100 ps) relaxation time from the ⁵T₂ level of Fe²⁺ ions in the Fe:ZnAl₂O₄ sample at RT. A strong mid-IR photoluminescence (PL) signal in Fe:InP crystal was detected under the direct excitation of the ⁵E↔⁵T₂ transition of Fe²⁺ ions using Er:YAG@2.94 μm laser as well as excitation using photo-ionization process under radiation from Nd:YAG@1.064 μm laser. This indicates that Fe:InP crystals could become promising mid-IR laser media with optimization of fabrication technology.

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Vladimir Fedorov, Bryce K. Coyne, Krishna Karki, Stanislav Balabanov, Alexander Belyaev, Viktor Smolski, Shova Subedi, and Sergey Mirov "Spectroscopic characterization of Fe:ZnAl₂O₄, Fe:MgAl₂O₄ and Fe:InP crystals for mid-IR laser applications", Proc. SPIE 11259, Solid State Lasers XXIX: Technology and Devices, 112591A (21 February 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2546501

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