SBIR Phase II: Compact, Diode-Pumped, Broadly Tunable Cr2+:ZnSe Laser

SBIR 第二阶段：紧凑型、二极管泵浦、广泛可调谐 Cr2:ZnSe 激光器

• 批准号: 9901756
• 负责人: Timothy Carrig
• 金额: $ 39.37万
• 依托单位: COHERENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1999
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1999-08-15 至 2001-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9901756&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; Compact; Diode

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop an all solid-state, compact high-efficiency, broadly tunable, single-frequency infrared laser source. In Phase I a continuous-wave (cw), room-temperature Cr2+:ZnSe laser was demonstrated that was continuously tunable from 2138 to 2760 nm without any active cooling. This is the broadest wavelength tuning yet demonstrated from any room temperature, cw laser. Additionally, the laser demonstrated an absorbed power slope efficiency as high as 63% - which rivals that of the best solid-state lasers yet reported. In Phase II, CTI and Fisk University (a HBCU/Ml) researchers will further investigate this laser material and better characterize the formation of the laser active Cr2+ ion in the ZnSe, host. Additionally, direct cw diode pumping of this material and single frequency laser operation will be demonstrated for the first time. Laser output power will be scaled by an approximate order of magnitude. A variety of laser designs, a novel tuning mechanism, and modelocked laser operation will be explored as well. The result will be a unique laser that will be an alternative to cryogenic color-center lasers and diode-pumped-solid-state laser- pumped-monlinear-frequency-converters (such as optical parametric oscillators) for tunable 2 to 3 mm laser applications. The laser source will provide an elegant solution to many near-infrared laser needs. Applications include high-resolution optical spectroscopy, vibrometry, remote sensing of several important atmospheric chemicals, ultrafast studies, and medical science.

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目将开发一种全固态、紧凑型高效、宽调谐、单频红外激光源。 在第一阶段中，连续波（cw），室温Cr 2+：ZnSe激光器被证明是从2138到2760 nm连续可调谐，没有任何主动冷却。 这是迄今为止从任何室温连续激光器中证明的最宽波长调谐。 此外，该激光器的吸收功率斜率效率高达63%，可与迄今报道的最佳固态激光器相媲美。 在第二阶段，CTI和菲斯克大学（HBCU/MI）的研究人员将进一步研究这种激光材料，并更好地表征ZnSe基质中激光活性Cr 2+离子的形成。 此外，还将首次展示该材料的直接连续二极管泵浦和单频激光操作。 激光输出功率将按近似数量级缩放。 各种激光器的设计，一种新颖的调谐机制，以及锁模激光器的操作也将探讨。 其结果将是一种独特的激光器，它将是低温色心激光器和二极管泵浦固态激光泵浦非线性频率转换器（如光学参量振荡器）的替代品，用于可调谐2至3 mm激光器应用。 该激光源将为许多近红外激光需求提供一个优雅的解决方案。 应用包括高分辨率光谱学、振动测量、几种重要大气化学物质的遥感、超快研究和医学科学。