Cr²+:ZnS is a laser gain medium formed by doping divalent chromium ions (Cr²⁺) into zinc sulfide (ZnS) crystals. Its core advantages reside in ultra-broadband tunable laser emission in the 2–3μm and exceptional passive Q‑switching performance, establishing it as one of the key materials for contemporary mid-infrared solid-state laser technologies.
Cr²+:ZnSe saturable absorbers (SA) are ideal materials for passive Q-switches of eye-safe fiber and solid-state lasers operating in the spectral range of 1.5-2.1 μm.
Fe²+:ZnSe Ferrum doped zinc selenide saturable absorbers (SA) are ideal materials for passive Q-switches of solid-state lasers operating in the spectral range of 2.5-4.0 μm.
Yb:YAG is one of the most promising laser-active materials and more suitable for diode-pumping than the traditional Nd-doped systems. Compared with the commonly used Nd:YAG crsytal, Yb:YAG crystal has a much larger absorption bandwidth to reduce thermal management requirements for diode lasers, a longer upper-laser level lifetime, three to four times lower thermal loading per unit pump power. Yb:YAG crystal is expected to replace Nd:YAG crystal for high power diode-pumped lasers and other potential applications.
Tm doped crystals embrace several attractive features that nominate them as the material of choice for solid-state laser sources with emission wavelength tunable around 2um. It was demonstrated that Tm:YAG laser can be tuned from 1.91 up to 2.15um. Similarly,Tm:YAP laser can tuning range from 1.85 to 2.03 um.The quasi-three level system of Tm:doped crystals requires appropriate pumping geometry and good heat extraction from the active media.
Ho:YAG Ho3+ ions doped into insulating laser crystals have exhibited 14 inter-manifold laser channels, operating in temporal modes from CW to mode-locked . Ho:YAG is commonly used as an efficient means to generate 2.1-μm laser emission from the 5I7- 5I8 transition, for applications such as laser remote sensing, medical surgery, and pumping Mid-IR OPO’s to achieve 3-5micron emission. Direct diode pumped systems,and Tm: Fiber Laser pumped system have demonstrated hi slope efficiencies, some approaching the theoretical limit.