Tm3+-doped LuYO3 mixed sesquioxide ceramic laser: effective 2.05 µm source operating in continuous-wave and passive Q-switching regimes.

ABSTRACT

TmLuYO3 ceramic is reported as an effective laser gain medium, for the first time to the best of our knowledge. For continuous-wave laser operation, a maximum output power of 1.55 W with a slope efficiency of 19.9% is achieved at 2050 nm. Passive Q-switching of the TmLuYO3 ceramic is operated using a CrZnSe saturable absorber. Single-wavelength Q-switching at 2047 nm is obtained with a maximum average output power of 0.54 W, a pulse width of 120.3 ns, a pulse energy of 20.5 µJ, and a pulse peak power of 170.6 W. Simultaneous dual-wavelength Q-switching at 1957 and 2047 nm is also attained with corresponding parameter values of 0.92 W, 151.6 ns, 30.2 µJ, and 199.1 W. These results indicate that TmLuYO3 ceramic lasers could be a promising laser source operating in the eye-safe spectral region.