Abstract

Tunable solid state lasers are of interest for a variety of applications, e.g. medical applications, ultra short pulse generation, remote sensing, laser radar, scientific research and measurement techniques. Tunable laser media based on transition metal ions and rare earth ions cover nowadays almost the whole spectral range between 270nm and 4500nm, see Figure 1. In this presentation an overview will be given, covering also recent advances in this field of research as well as approaches to new lasers at different wavelengths based on 3d - 3d and 5d - 4f transitions.

© 2000 IEEE