Abstract

In order to extend the range of solid state laser sources further into the mid-IR, we have explored the stimulated emission properties of praseodymium in low phonon energy host crystals. As a result, we have obtained efficient pulsed operation at the longest wavelength reported to date for any rare earth laser, 5.25 μm.¹ In addition, a new high gain, three level Pr⁺³ laser line at 1.64 μm has also been characterized. See Fig. 1.

© 1994 Optical Society of America