Spectroscopic assessment of LiTaO3 : Tm3+ as a potential diode-pumped laser near 1.9 mu m

The spectroscopic properties of LiTaO3:Tm3+ single crystal relevant for the Tm3+ laser transition near 1.9 mu m are presented. The absorption cross se ction for the H-3(6)-->H-3(4) transition, the emission cross section for th e F-3(4)-->H-3(6) transition and gain curves are determined for sigma and p i polarization. The broad absorption band at about 795 nm and high values o f the above cross sections are promising features for obtaining a laser dio de-pumped Tm3+ laser, The gain coefficient curves imply that the tunability range is up to 200 nm. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979 (98)04621-0].