THIN CRYSTAL, ROOM-TEMPERATURE CR4-FORSTERITE LASER USING NEAR-INFRARED PUMPING()

We describe a new design for chromium-doped forsterite lasers based on near-IR (700-800-nm) pumping of a thin (3-mm) crystal. In contrast wi th pumping at 1.06 mu m, near-IR pumping permits the use of shorter cr ystal lengths, which enable one to develop compact and diode-pumped la ser geometries. Near-IR pumping also results in an increased effective figure of merit and tuning performance. Using a Ti:Al2O3 pump laser, we investigated cw laser characteristics over a range of pump waveleng ths compatible with diode pumping. Room-temperature cw operation with a tuning range of 1175 to 1375 mo was achieved. Kerr-lens mode-locked operation of this laser was also demonstrated with pulse durations of similar to 50 fs. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America