Q-switched microsecond pulses in the 2 µm spectral range

Mid-infrared Q-switched laser radiation around lambdaap2 mum is important in material processing and numerous medical applications. However, in order to transmit pulse energies > 50 mJ it is advantageous to stretch the pulse duration towards the mus time regime to prevent fiber damage at high irradiances. Due to high life time of the upper laser level of about 10 ms, Q-switched thulium and holmium lasers are promising candidates to generate mus-strechted pulsed radiation with required energy.