Abstract

We investigated the fluorescence and lasing characteristics of chromium-doped forsterite with high chromium concentration of 0.13-0.14 mol%. It was shown that the 0.13-0.14 mol% chromium sample has about threefold stronger intensity of fluorescence extending from 1050 nm to 1400 nm, which causes laser oscillation, than the 0.04 – 0.06 mol% chromium sample which is usually used. Laser oscillation was achieved by pumping with 1064 nm pulses from a Q-switched Nd: YAG laser by using the 0.13-0.14 mol% chromium sample whose size was only 5 × 5 × 5 mm³, and the output power of over 1.1 mJ and the slope efficiency of 17 % were obtained.

© 1995 Optical Society of America