Two-level lasers operating on the transitions to the ground state

Abstract

We analyze in detail a model of two-level lasers with a thermal production of population inversion proposed by V. A. Gerasimov et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., 2006, 96, 123902). We show that it is possible to obtain nine new laser lines on the transitions to the ground state in atoms of rare-earth metals (REMs) with an incomplete 4f shell (Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Tb–Tm). The laser line wavelengths are from the UV (Eu) to the middle IR (Tb and Er) regions of the spectrum. Based on the estimates of the specific laser energy parameters (power, power density, and efficiency), we conclude that only Sm, Eu, and Tm (among the REMs under study) are suited for the experimental prototypes of these lasers. The estimated maximum efficiency and specific power density of continuous lasing can reach the values of >40% and ~107÷109 W/cm2, respectively.