Abstract

Tunable lasers based on vibronic sideband emission of Cr³⁺ and V²⁺ in low-to-intermediate crystal fields offer the possibility of efficient operation over a wide tuning range in the near infrared.¹ Excited state absorption (ESA) originating from the metastable ⁴T₂ level is, however, a potential problem that could raise lasing thresholds and impair lasing efficiency.

© 1987 Optical Society of America