Continuous broadband tunable Pr3+:LiYF4 laser in the near-infrared spectral range

Abstract

We report an InGaN laser diodes (LDs) pumped continuously broadband tunable Pr3+:LiYF4 (Pr:YLF) laser in the near-infrared spectra range. The composite energy levels (3P0,1,1I6) are used as the laser's upper energy level. As absorbed pumped power is about 9 W at 444 nm, the laser continuous tuning range for π- and σ-polarizations cover 855 nm to 931 nm (width of 77 nm) and 850 nm to 912 nm (width of 63 nm), respectively. Meanwhile, the output powers of the wavelength at the strong emission cross-sections reached the watt level. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first continuous laser tuning around the 900 nm spectra range by using ld-pumping Pr:YLF crystal, and the widest continuous tuning range and highest tuning power have been obtained to date. Thirteen new wavelengths from 850 to 862 nm were also realized for the first time in Pr:YLF crystal.