Abstract
Lasers based on erbium ions using 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 transition can generate laser radiation in the spectral range from 2.7 μm to 3 μm. Since the strong absorption peak of water is located at 3 μm, there has been an effort to develop a suitable laser source for various medical applications, e.g. dentistry, dermatology, urology, or surgery. Laser radiation from this wavelength range can also be used in spectroscopy, as a pumping source for optical parametric oscillators, or for further mid-infrared conversion.This paper represents an overview of the erbium-doped active media (e.g. Er:YAG, Er:YAP, Er:GGG, Er:SrF2, Er:YLF, Er:Y2O3, Er:KYW, etc.) for laser radiation generation in the spectral range 2.7–3 μm. In the first part of this paper, the particular active media are discussed in detail. On the other hand, the experimental results summarized absorption and emission cross-section spectra together with decay times at upper (4I11/2) and lower (4I13/2) laser levels of all tested Er-doped samples at room temperature. Moreover, laser results in CW and pulsed laser regime with tunability curves, achieved in recent years, are presented, too.
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