Chromium-doped forsterite laser pumped with 1.06 μm radiation

Abstract

Laser action in chromium‐doped forsterite (Cr: Mg₂SiO₄), pumped with a 1.064 μm Nd:YAG laser, was demonstrated for the first time. The free‐running laser emission is centered at 1.221 μm and has a spectral width of 28 nm. An efficiency of 8% has been achieved with an uncoated crystal produced by the laser‐heated‐pedestal growth method. The available evidence suggests that the laser action is due to Cr⁴⁺ in tetrahedral sites.