Abstract

A long wavelength infrared laser system is disclosed where radiation from laser sources such as frequency-doubled Nd:YAG or a Cr:LiSAF is used to resonantly pump a gain medium consisting of a holmium-doped fluoride crystal having a high active ion concentration. The laser pump source has a pulse duration that may be short enough to gain switch a particular transition or long enough to allow end-pumping with high energy densities without damage. The gain material has an absorption approximately resonant with the pump source wavelength, and the dopant concentration is selected to maximize absorption strength for a given excitation. The output radiation from the laser system consists of one or more wavelengths including, in particular 3.9 nm but also other infrared wavelengths such as 1.4 .mu.m, 2.9 .mu.m and 3.4 .mu.m., several of which may be produced simultaneousely from the same laser material through the mechanism of cascade transitions.

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 6,567,431

Application Serial Number

09/862,913

Issue Date

5-20-2003

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Department

CREOL

Allowance Date

2-13-2003

Filing Date

5-22-2001

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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