Abstract

In the near infrared spectral region significant advances have been achieved with diode pumped rare earth lasers based on the ions Nd³⁺, Tm³⁺, Ho³⁺, and Yb³⁺. The new class of Cr⁴⁺ transition metal ion lasers emits tunable radiation in a very interesting spectral region between 1.17 μm and 1.63 μm. In the visible spectral region Er³⁺-, Tm³⁺-, and Pr³⁺-lasers can be operated at several red, green, and blue transitions.

© 1994 IEEE