Abstract

Flexible wavelength lasers that can provide reliable continuous-wave and pulsed output are attractive for many applications, including biomedical, remote sensing, materials processing and scientific studies. Vibronic lasers are particularly attractive due to their broad tunability and ultra-short (fs) pulse capabilities. One such vibronic laser is Alexandrite (Cr-doped chrysoberyl), which has a tuning range ~700—850nm and excellent thermo-mechanical properties which are key for high-power laser operation. Alexandrite lasers can be pumped by red (AlGaInP) diodes, potentially eliminating the need for bulky and inefficient lamp pumps, and high power operation has been demonstrated by our prior work in end-pumped configurations [1]. In this paper, we present the first >10W diode-side-pumped Alexandrite slab lasers, using the bounce geometry. Additionally, we report direct generation of an optical vortex from a vibronic laser for the first time, with an output power of 2W.

© 2015 IEEE