High-power continuous-wave Cr4+: forsterite laser

The temperature and pump power dependence of infrared luminescence of Cr4+: forsterite are measured. It is demonstrated that temperature-dependent fluo rescence in Cr4+:forsterite is the major reason for saturation of the outpu t power of a continuous-wave laser. At higher pump intensities the temperat ure rise inside the crystal becomes significant, and even outside cooling d oes not help to prevent significant reduction of the laser performance. The se measurements serve as a guideline to construct a high-power continuous-w ave Cr4+:forsterite laser. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.