Abstract

Effective gain cross-section in tetravalent chromium-doped forsterite laser crystal was measured over the 1180-1330 nm spectral range. The experiment was performed using two collinear laser beams in a pump-and-probe arrangement. The peak gain cross section from this measurement is estimated to be 1.9 × 10⁻¹⁹ cm² at 1215 nm which is comparable to the value of ~2 x 10⁻¹⁹ cm² predicted by fluorescence linewidth and lifetime measurements. These results indicate that excited-state absorption is not a major loss mechanism in tetravalent chromium- doped forsterite.

© 1990 Optical Society of America