PERFORMANCE OF A CONTINUOUS-WAVE FORSTERITE LASER WITH KRYPTON ION, TI-SAPPHIRE, AND ND-YAG PUMP LASERS

We characterize continuous-wave operation of a chromium-doped forsterite (Cr4+:Mg2SiO4) 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 I 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.