Abstract

Temporal sequences of different spectral components of the 4/11/2 → 4/13/2 manifold in YAlO₃:Er have been analyzed in a laser operated at 300 K. Several lines can oscillate in a spiking train. Their position in the pulse is discussed in terms of population inversion, laser linewidth, and resonant ion-ion interaction. Erbium crystals with dopant concentrations of 10, 20, and 50% have been used in the experiments. The wavelengths of the 3-µm transitions range from 2.71 to 2.92 µm. They are strongly dependent on the crystal orientation with respect to the polarization of the laser light. The polarization dependence of the most prominent emission lines has been determined for laser crystals oriented with their axes along the crystallographic a and b directions. The bandwidth of the laser lines has been measured with a resolution of 0.12 nm using a grating spectrometer in combination with an image converter. The bandwidth ranges from 0.3 nm at 2.73µm up to 2.6 nm at 2.92 µm.

© 1987 Optical Society of America