Full investigation into continuous-wave Nd:LuAG lasers on ^4F_3/2→^4I_13/2 transition around 13 and 14 μm

Abstract

We report a full investigation of continuous-wave diode-pumped Nd:LuAG single crystal lasers on 4F3/2→4I13/2 transition around 1.3 and 1.4 μm. In free-running mode, a maximum output power of 4.18 W is achieved for a simultaneous dual-wavelength laser operation at 1321 and 1338 nm, which represents the highest output power for Nd:LuAG laser material at a 1.3 μm emission band. Three single wavelength lasers at 1340, 1332 and 1322 nm, as well as a dual-wavelength laser at 1334 and 1338 nm, are also generated with maximum output powers of 2.39, 2.63, 2.24 and 1.23 W, respectively, with the aid of a glass etalon. Moreover, a single wavelength laser at 1353 nm is also obtained with a maximum output power of 1.53 W. Furthermore, in free-running mode, simultaneous tri-wavelength eye-safe lasers at 1419, 1432 and 1442 nm are attained with a maximum output power of 1.83 W, and a 1.08 W single wavelength laser at 1419 nm is also yielded. Most of the 1.3 μm lasers and all of the 1.4 μm lasers are demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge. Thus, this work indicates that Nd:LuAG crystal is a very promising laser gain medium for high-power continuous-wave infrared laser generation.