2.70 MU-M CRER - YSGG LASER WITH HIGH-OUTPUT ENERGY AND FTIR-Q-SWITCH

We report on efficient operation of a flashlamp pumped CrEr:YSGG laser at the wavelength of 2.70 mu m. A free running output pulse energy of more than 0.6 J at a slope efficiency of 0.36% has been achieved by u sing a specially-designed low-loss dispersive resonator. We will also report on efficient frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) Q-swit ching of this laser. The wavelength of 2.70 mu m is of particular inte rest for laser surgery because of its considerably better transmittanc e in fused silica fibers compared to well developed 2.79 mu m CrEr:YSG G and 2.94 mu m Er:YAG lasers.