A compact 1.7 ns gain-switched Cr:ZnSe laser at 2.6 μ m

Abstract We report a compact 2.6 μ m Cr:ZnSe gain-switched laser. To achieve short nanosecond single-pulse laser output at 2.6 μ m, a Tm:YAP laser with a pulse duration of approximately 10 ns is employed as the pump source. Under the action of short-pulse pumping, the Cr:ZnSe gain-switched laser achieved a ∼1.7 ns pulse laser output with a maximum average power of 39.6 mW, a corresponding peak power of 29.67 kW, and a slope efficiency of 21.2%. The repetition frequency was 785 Hz. This laser can be applicable in fields such as remote sensing and material processing.