4.1 W continuous-wave and broadly wavelength tunable Tm-doped laser in 2.1-2.4 µm spectral region based on vibronic and electronic transitions.

ABSTRACT

Efficient diode-pumped continuous-wave (CW) and wavelength tunable TmYAP lasers based on the vibronic and electronic transitions are investigated. A total maximum output power of 4.1 W is achieved with multi-wavelength output around 2162 nm and 2274 nm, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 29.8% for a 3 at. % TmYAP crystal. A maximum output power of 2.48 W with a slope efficiency of 25.4% is obtained at 2146 nm for a 4 at. % TmYAP crystal. Using a birefringent filter (BF), the emission wavelengths of the TmYAP laser are tuned over spectral ranges of 59 nm from 2115 nm to 2174 nm and 127 nm from 2267 nm to 2394 nm, respectively, which is the first demonstration of wavelength tunable TmYAP laser based on the electronic transition 3H4→3H5 and vibronic transition 3F4→3H6, to the best of our knowledge. The results show great potentials of the TmYAP crystal for realizing efficient lasers in the spectral range of 2.1-2.4 µm.