Visible laser emission of solid state pumped LiLuF(4):Pr(3+).

In the present work we report on the growth, spectroscopy and laser results of LiLuF(4):Pr(3+) 1.25% in the melt. Room temperature polarized absorption and emission spectra have been recorded and the decay time of the (3)P0 manifold has been measured. Finally efficient room temperature laser emission have been obtained at 522.8 nm, 607.25 nm, 640.17 nm and 721.5 nm under 480 nm pumping by means of an optically pumped semiconductor laser.

Laser activity at 1.18, 1.07, and 0.97 microm in the low-phonon-energy hosts KPb2Br5 and RbPb2Br5 doped with Nd3+.

For the first time to the authors' knowledge, laser activity has been achieved in low-phonon-energy, moisture-resistant bromide host crystals, neodymium-doped potassium lead bromide (Nd3+:KPb2Br5) and rubidium lead bromide (Nd3+:RbPb2Br5; RPB). Laser activity at 1.07 microm was observed for both crystalline materials. Laser operation at the new wavelengths 1.18 and 0.97 microm that resulted from the 4F5/2 + 2H9/2 - 4IJ transitions (J=13/2 and J=11/2) in Nd:RPB was achieved in a solid-state laser material. Rare-earth-doped MPb2Br5 (M=K, Rb) is a promising candidate for long-wavelength infrared applications because of its low phonon frequencies and other favorable features. In principle, Nd3+:MPb2Br5 has high potential for laser operation at new wavelengths as well as for the achievement of short-wavelength lasing as a result of upconversion.