Efficient broadly tunable continuous-wave Cr2+: ZnSe laser

An efficient continuous-wave Cr2+-doped ZnSe laser pumped by a Co:MgF2 lase r is experimentally demonstrated. In a single-pass pump scheme we observed up to 520 mW at similar to 2500 nm in 0.4-nm narrow-band operation, with 52 % incident-power slope efficiency, and a tuning range between 2180 and 2800 nm. In the multipass pump scheme we also observed and analyzed the effect of dual Q-switching laser action at 1.75 and 2.5 mum in the Co:MgF2-Cr:ZnSe coupled-cavity oscillator. Finally, we report the measurement of the passi ve losses and of the ground-state absorption at the lasing wavelength. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.