NEAR-IR DYE-LASER FOR DIODE-PUMPED OPERATION

A dye laser pumped by AlGaInP laser diodes produced efficient, low thr eshold operation at wavelengths between 740 and 800 nm. Rhodamine 700, oxazine 750, DOTCI and oxazine 1 dyes were demonstrated. Optical conv ersion efficiencies approaching 50% and output power as high as 361 mW were obtained when pumping with a DCM-based dye laser. Parametric var iations of the pump power and wavelength were performed over the range of 615 nm to 690 nm to provide a more complete characterization of th e dye laser.