High power simultaneous dual-wavelength laser operation of diode pumped Tm:YLF at 1.9 and 2.3 μm

What is it about?

Simultaneous dual-wavelength laser oscillation of Tm:YLF at 1.9 and 2.3 μm were successfully realized. The three-mirror cavity was exploited to study dual-wavelength laser performance, which is formed by a shared input mirror and two independent output couplers for the two laser wavelengths. Under an absorbed pump power of 15.2 W, the maximum CW output powers of 5.49 W around 1908nm and 1.12 W around 2305 nm were simultaneously obtained, corresponding to a total optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 43.5%. A Cr2+:ZnSe was further used to passively Q-switch the dual-wavelength laser, generating pulses with pulse widths of 554 ns at 1.9 μm and 4 μs at 2.3 μm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the dual-wavelength laser operation of Tm3+-single-doped solid-state laser at 1.9 and 2.3 μm. The higher optical conversion efficiency, smaller wavelength competition effect and simultaneous dual-wavelength output make this Tm-doped solid-state laser have potential application in medical surgery.

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Why is it important?

Simultaneous dual-wavelength laser oscillation of Tm:YLF at 1.9 and 2.3 μm were successfully realized. The three-mirror cavity was exploited to study dual-wavelength laser performance, which is formed by a shared input mirror and two independent output couplers for the two laser wavelengths. Under an absorbed pump power of 15.2 W, the maximum CW output powers of 5.49 W around 1908nm and 1.12 W around 2305 nm were simultaneously obtained, corresponding to a total optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 43.5%. A Cr2+:ZnSe was further used to passively Q-switch the dual-wavelength laser, generating pulses with pulse widths of 554 ns at 1.9 μm and 4 μs at 2.3 μm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the dual-wavelength laser operation of Tm3+-single-doped solid-state laser at 1.9 and 2.3 μm. The higher optical conversion efficiency, smaller wavelength competition effect and simultaneous dual-wavelength output make this Tm-doped solid-state laser have potential application in medical surgery.