Intracavity 1.549-/spl mu/m pumped 1.634-/spl mu/m Er:YAG lasers at 300 K

A novel method of generating 1.634-/spl mu/m laser action from Er:YAG crystals pumped intracavity by an Er:glass laser emitting at 1.549 /spl mu/m is described. Operation of the Er:glass laser at 1.549 /spl mu/m (red shifted from the standard 1.532 /spl mu/m, but with comparable output) at 500 K was obtained using mirrors with tailored spectral reflectivities. Several Er:YAG crystals ranging in concentration from 0.3% to 2% and in length from 1 cm to 8 cm were lased in the intracavity pumping arrangement. All the Er:YAG crystals lased in the /sup 4/I/sub 13/2/:Y1(6544 cm/sup -1/)-/sup 4/I/sub 15/2/:Z6(424 cm/sup -1/) 1.634-/spl mu/m transition at 300 K.<
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