Performance of a continuous-wave forsterite laser with krypton ion, Ti:sapphire, and Nd:YAG pump lasers

The authors characterize continuous-wave operation of a chromium-doped forsterite (Cr/sup 4+/:Mg/sub 2/SiO/sub 4/) laser using krypton ion, Ti:sapphire, and Nd:YAG lasers as pump sources. Measurements were made pumping at 647 nm and 676 nm with the krypton ion laser, between 690 and 1010 nm with the Ti:sapphire laser, and at 1.06 mu m with the Nd:YAG laser. Threshold pump powers and slope efficiencies are compared for output coupler transmissions varying between 1 and 15.5%. Room-temperature operation was only achieved using the Nd:YAG pump laser. Forsterite laser output power as a function of both temperature and pumping wavelength is discussed.<
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