A Cr/sup 2+/ doped polycrystal ZnSe laser for the MIR

Summary form only given. Laser action of transition-metal-doped zinc chalcogenide (Cr/sup 2+/:ZnSe, Cr/sup 2+/:ZnS) were previously demonstrated in the mid infrared with a large tunability according to their broadband emission spectrum. Whereas previous results were obtained with single-crystals, we report laser action with home-doped Cr/sup 2+/:ZnSe polycrystal materials using a diffusion method. In our experiment, the pumping wavelength at 18 /spl mu/m was obtained using an LiNbO/sub 3/ OPO (optical parametric oscillator) pumped at 1064 /spl mu/m.