Abstract

We tested a solid state laser material, YAG doped with 30% (at.) Er³⁺ ions and 1.5% (at.) Ho³⁺ ions. The laser levels in both Er³⁺ and Ho³⁺ demonstrated altered lifetimes when compared to equivalently-doped Er:YAG and Ho:YAG, indicating moderate interactions between the Er³⁺ and Ho³⁺ ions. When we lased (Er, Ho):YAG, we observed output at three wavelengths: approximately 2.939, 2.936, and 2.796 μm. The first two of these lased simultaneously, while the third appeared later in the same pump pulse. This lasing blueshift may be explained by excited-state absorption (ESA) in the Ho³⁺ ions.

© 1989 Optical Society of America