Broadband, intensity dependent absorption in tetravalent chromium-doped crystals

Abstract
Cr4+‐doped Y2SiO5 and Ca2Al2SiO7 have been investigated as broadband, solid state saturable absorbers. Saturation properties in the near infrared as well as a demonstration of tunable, passive Q switching of a flash‐lamp pumped Cr:LiSAF laser are discussed.