Efficient gain-switched operation around 3 μm in Cr2+:CdSe single-crystal laser pumped by repetitivelypulsed Ho3+:YAG lasers

Efficient gain-switched output at 3.12 μm was achieved from the Cr2+:CdSe laser pumped at 2.1 μm by the repetitively-pulsed Ho3+:YAG laser. Two lasing regimes were registered, with the output wavelength centered at 3.12 μm or 2.7 μm, depending on the concentration of Cr2+ ions, crystal temperature, and Q-factor of a resonator. A high beam quality was maintained up to 2.5 W of an output power. The maximum output power reached 5 W.