Room temperature, multi-wavelength operation in Er: YAlO_3

摘要

Room temperature, multi-wavelength operation in 2% doped Er: YAlO_3 under flashlamp excitation is reported. Lasing occurred predominantly at 1.6625 μm and 1.6725 μm with the emission at the two wavelengths being orthogonally polarized. The use and orientation of an intracavity polarizer dictates the lasing wavelength in the laser. Temporal analysis of the two laser wavelengths shows that the onset of lasing at the two wavelengths is separated by ～14 μs with lasing at the 1.6625 μm wavelength occurring first. The 14 μs delay suggests that the 1.6625 μm emission is due to lasing on the ~4S_(3/2) →~4I_(9/2) transition (4-level), while the 1.6725 μm emission is due to cascaded lasing on the ~4I_(13/2)→~4I_(15/2) transition (3-level). Using a rotating mirror Q-switch, ～80 ns pulses at 10 Mj/pulse were generated. The wavelength of the Q-switched emission was determined to be at 1.6625 μm.