Abstract

An efficient Ho³⁺:BaY₂F₈ laser at 3.9 µm pumped by a Cr:LiSAF laser is demonstrated. Pulsed laser oscillation at 3.9 µm was achieved at a pump threshold of 2 mJ of absorbed energy. A slope efficiency of 14.5 % was demonstrated with the maximum energy of 30 mJ in the 3.9 µm laser pulse. TEM₀₀ mode operation was achieved with the divergence close to diffraction limited. Repetition rates were scaled up to 15 Hz without noticeable change in temporal profile and energy of the 3.9 pm Ho:BYF laser pulse.

© 2001 Optical Society of America