Efficient continuous-wave operation of a radiatively cooled Cr4+:forsterite laser at room temperature

In this paper, we report the results of an experimental study aimed at reducing the effects of thermal loading to improve the cw power performance of a Cr⁴⁺:forsterite laser at room temperature. At 15°C, with only 5.3 W of absorbed pump power, as high as 900 mW of output power is obtained at 1.26 μm with an absorbed pump power slope efficiency of 24%. To our knowledge, this is the highest power performance reported to date from this laser system near room temperature. Furthermore, the laser crystal was radiatively cooled with no water cooling or dry nitrogen purging, hence greatly simplifying the system design and opening the door for the realization of compact stand-alone Cr⁴⁺:forsterite lasers for various engineering applications