Performance Evaluation of Co~(2+):CdTe as an optical gain medium

摘要

Optical amplification of a mid-IR laser using a Co~(2+):CdTe amplifier was attempted by a double-pass technique. A 2.825 μm pump source was used to amplify a 3.780 μm seed source through the gain medium. Of transition-metal-doped chalcogenide lasers, iron (Fe~(2+)) and chromium (Cr~(2+)) have emerged as practical sources of tunable mid-infrared radiation, while cobalt (Co~(2+)) still remains comparatively unexplored. The initial observations of directly pumping into the ~4T_2 energy level are reported and discussed to better understand the potential of Co:CdTe as a mid-infrared gain medium.