Abstract

Recent advances in the development of tunable alexandrite laser amplifiers, in single-pass and double-pass configurations, show promising trends toward higher average power and higher brightness applications. As the low emission cross section of alexandrite (≈5-7 × 10⁻²¹cm² @ 25°C and 1 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² at 95°C at band center) indicates, alexandrite is a low to moderate gain material. However, under pumping conditions compatible with reasonable flashlamp liftimes (>10⁶ shots), single pass amplification factors of four to seven have been achieved using 0.635 cm diameter by 10 cm long rods operated at a temperature of 95°C.

© 1986 Optical Society of America