Tunable-laser performance in BeAl_2O_4:Cr^3+

Abstract

Broadly tunable laser operation has been obtained at room temperature from the vibronic bands of single-crystal BeAl(2)O(4):Cr(3+) under Xe-flashlamp excitation. Continuous tuning is obtained from 701 to 794 nm, with maximum power at 750 nm. Long-pulse operation employing 6.3-mm x 76-mm rods easily provides 500 mJ in 200-microsec bursts, whereas 70-mJ, 120-nsec pulses are obtained under Q-switch operation.

Laser crystals and ceramics: recent advances

“…Because this lasing channel is not spin forbidden it has extensive vibronic transitions which give rise to tunable SE generation (see, e.g. [244,258,259] ions possess very similar laser properties in a large family of disordered compounds having the Ca-gallogermanate structure [259][260][261], which have in the 4 T 2 → 4 A 2 channel the greatest tuning width of the SE wavelength of about 3300 cm −1 in the near-IR region. Some fluorides with the colquiriite structure (e.g.…”

InP/InGaP quantum-dot SESAM mode-locked Alexandrite laser

“…Due to the broad tuning range (~85 nm) of Alexandrite [12], a careful dispersion management [38] should lead to the generation of even shorter pulses. In addition, more efficient mode locking should be possible by designing QD-SESAMs specifically for Alexandrite laser crystal that has a gain peak around 755 nm wavelength [10,11]. Also, low quantum defect of visible diode pumping [13,14] should lead to efficient and powerful ultrafast Alexandrite oscillators that will be very attractive for various applications including nonlinear frequency conversion [39][40][41][42], multiphoton microscopy [43,44], and ultrafast spectroscopy [45].…”

“…Currently, Ti:sapphire is the most commonly used broadband vibronic laser crystal that can directly generated a few cycle optical pulses [8,9]. On the other hand, Alexandrite (Cr-doped chrysoberyl BeAl2O4) is another example of vibronic laser crystal [10] that has a wide (~100 nm) wavelength tuning range around 750 nm and high thermal conductivity (similar to Ti:sapphire) [11,12]. Its other advantages are highly polarized output radiation and broad absorption bands that can be used for direct pumping with visible laser diodes [13,14].…”

“…Its other advantages are highly polarized output radiation and broad absorption bands that can be used for direct pumping with visible laser diodes [13,14]. Unlike Ti:sapphire, Alexandrite can be directly pumped with red laser diodes because its absorption band covers most of the visible spectral range [10,13]. In addition, its larger στ product [15] presents a prospect of lower laser threshold.…”

Specific character of melt growth of low-temperature phase of aluminum beryllate

“…Undertaken by many researchers, these attempts were prompted by remarkable properties of a-ABO. Suffice it to note that Cr-bearing chrysoberyl, known as alexandrite, is a very rare gemstone with unique color properties [2] and, at the same time, are a wonderful material for tunable laser devices [2,3].…”