V V Firsov

Mid-IR (4–5 µm) femtosecond multipass amplification of optical parametric seed pulse up to gigawatt level in Fe2+:ZnSe with optical pumping by a solid-state 3 µm laser

We demonstrate a first-of-its-kind efficient amplification of a broadband tunable (from 3.8 to 4.8 µm) mid-IR femtosecond seed pulse generated from a AgGaS2-based optical parametric amplifier pumped by a Cr:forsterite laser in a multi-pass Fe2+:ZnSe amplifier optically pumped by a solid-state nanosecond Cr:Yb:Ho:YSGG laser. A total gain of 2000 for an input seed energy of 40 nJ has been obtained. The magnitude of the output energy reaches 80 µJ at a pulse duration of 200 fs.

Gd3Ga5O12:Nd3+ crystals for a continuous-wave diode-pumped laser operating in 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 and 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 channels

Garnet crystals of the composition Gd3Ga5O12:Nd3+ (concentration series CNd = 1–10 at. %) were grown from flux. In terms of spectroscopy, these crystals, unlike those grown from melts, form medium with a single activator center. For the first time, continuous-wave lasing was excited by diode pumping with the use of Gd3Ga5O12:Nd3+ crystals at the wavelengths λ3 = 1.3315 and λ4 = 1.3370 μm of the 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 channel and also the simultaneous generation at two wavelengths, λ1 = 1.0621 and λ2 = 1.0600 μm, of the 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 channel.

Unidirectional single-mode lasing on Nd-doped GSGG crystal

Abstract The lasing characteristics of a Cr,Nd:GSGG solid state ring laser with different types of monochromatic pumping have been investigated. Unidirectional, single frequency lasing of the ring nonplanar laser was obtained. A high stable automodulation regime of lasing with a high sensitivity to the magnetic field was realized.

Gigawatt mid-IR (4-5 μm) femtosecond hybrid Fe2+:ZnSe laser system

We demonstrate a first-of-its-kind efficient chirped pulse amplification of broadband mid-IR (4-5 μm) femtosecond seed pulse (230 ps, 4μJ) generated in AgGaS2 based OPA driven by Cr:forsterite laser in multi-pass Fe2+:ZnSe amplifier optically pumped by solid-state Q-switched Cr:Yb:Ho:YSGG laser (2.85 μm, 30mJ, 5Hz, 0.6 J/cm2). The system delivers 1.2 mJ at pulse duration of 230 ps. Straightforward compression to 150 fs pulse is achievable with 70% efficiency using diffraction grating pair with peak power of about 6 GW. Further non-linear compression in a bulk CaF2 due to the SPM and anomalous GVD should provide the enhancement of peak power up to 20 GW. Possible routes to reach sub-TW and even TW power level in mid-IR are discussed.