Self-mode-locked Cr3+:BeAl6O10 laser

In this work the optical spectroscopic and CW laser properties of Cr³⁺:BeAl₆O₁₀-crystal were experimentally investigated and compared with those of well-known laser medium - alexandrite (Cr³⁺:BeAl₂O₄). The research show that the absorption band is shifted to the red relative to the absorption band of alexandrite, allowing the use of diodes emitting at 670 nm for pumping. The emission cross-section of laser transition was estimated about 6.10^-20 cm², that on the order exceeds the analogous for alexandrite ( 0.7.10^-20 cm² ). The excited state lifetimes equal 18 μs at 77 K and 13.5 μs at room temperature.