Crystal host engineering for transition metal lasers

Jonathan W. Evans; Sean A. McDaniel; Ronald W. Stites; Patrick A. Berry; Gary Cook; Thomas R. Harris; Kenneth L. Schepler

doi:10.1117/12.2553388

21 February 2020 Crystal host engineering for transition metal lasers

Jonathan W. Evans, Sean A. McDaniel, Ronald W. Stites, Patrick A. Berry, Gary Cook, Thomas R. Harris, Kenneth L. Schepler

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11259, Solid State Lasers XXIX: Technology and Devices; 112590C (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2553388
Event: SPIE LASE, 2020, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Much progress has been made in power scaling mid-infrared lasers based on transition metal ions such as Cr²⁺, Co²⁺, and Fe²⁺ in zinc and cadmium chalcogenides. Still, the exploration of the physics of the devices is incomplete. In this work, we analyze absorption spectra from Fe²⁺ in several binary and ternary hosts at low temperatures. We examine the effect of host ion size and mass on the zero-phonon energy of these spectra and further develop our previous model for the upper state lifetime of Fe²⁺ in these materials. The effect of the relative disorder in the crystalline environment on the lasing characteristics of Cr:ZnS, Cr:ZnSe, Fe:ZnSe, and Fe:CdMnTe laser devices is explored. We show that increasing disorder of the crystal host is easily observed in broadening of the absorption spectra and the spectral linewidth of the laser output, and the reduction in the portion of the emission spectrum accessible for mode locking. Practical design guidelines for laser devices are developed.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Jonathan W. Evans, Sean A. McDaniel, Ronald W. Stites, Patrick A. Berry, Gary Cook, Thomas R. Harris, and Kenneth L. Schepler "Crystal host engineering for transition metal lasers", Proc. SPIE 11259, Solid State Lasers XXIX: Technology and Devices, 112590C (21 February 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2553388

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available