Abstract

Spectroscopic measurements and a study of laser operation of monoclinic crystals KY(WO₄)₂+(1-15)%Tm and KYb(WO₄)₂-(3-7)%Tm have been performed. Under laser pumping of 800nm, the room temperature threshold of 70mW and slope efficiency of 45 percent have been demonstrated for a 1mm thick crystal plate of KY(WO₄)₂+15%Tm. Preliminary results show that the tuning range may extend over ~1850 to ~1950nm. The most important results of our study (the lifetime of 3F4 manifold τ₂. the peak emission cross-section σ_eff^max, the upconversion coefficient k_ΣTm the saturation intensity I₀ and others) are summarized in the Table where the same values for well-studied Tm:YAG crystals are also listed in comparison.

© 2000 IEEE