Abstract

Researchers in the Soviet Union reported on the lasing properties of high dopant concentration Er:YAG since 1975.^1,2,3 The present paper reports confirmation of some of their results and introduces new data concerning the dynamics of the laser output and the thermal lensing properties of 50% Er:YAS. This laser operates at 2940 nm at room temperature. It is of great interest in several medical applications of lasers, as a direct source of infrared light, and as a pump for tunable infrared devices.

© 1986 Optical Society of America