High-repetition-rate 2.70 and 2.79 /spl mu/m ErCr:YSGG lasers

Summary form only given. We report on flashlamp-pumped high-power laser operation of Er/sup 3+/Cr:YSGG in the mid-IR at high repetition rates of up to 75 Hz in the free running and Q-switched regime. Flashlamp pumping has been performed in a single lamp silver plated elliptical reflector. Thus the pump light is focused towards the center of the laser rod resulting in a pump profile giving better coincidence between mode and pump volume. This is essential for laser operation at high repetition rates due to the occurring strong thermal side effects, e.g. lensing or birefringence. Although the pulse repetition frequency is high the pump power could be held below 600 W.