Description
ZnSe(Cr) Laser Crystal brings broadly tunable mid-infrared output to compact laser systems. This chromium-doped zinc selenide gain medium tunes continuously from 1.9 to 3.3 um at room temperature, which covers a rich molecular fingerprint region.
Why the ZnSe(Cr) Laser Crystal stands out
Three traits explain the attention it has attracted. First, the pump flexibility: diodes and fiber lasers from 1400 to 2200 nm all work, including Er-fiber, Tm fiber, telecom and InP diodes, plus YAG/YLF systems doped with erbium or thulium. Second, the spectroscopy: ultra-broadband gain bandwidth plus high absorption coefficients. Third, the economics: the ceramic form of the material keeps costs low for a mid-IR gain medium.
Room-temperature performance
At 300 K, the crystal tunes continuously over 1.9-3.3 um. Output powers reach 13 W, and slope efficiency climbs to 70 percent. As a result, you get a compact tunable source without cryogenic cooling. The 70-percent efficiency means most pump photons become useful mid-IR output.
Choose the pump to fit your platform. Fiber lasers offer compactness, telecom diodes offer low cost, and YAG/YLF-based pumps offer high peak power. Because the absorption band is broad, all of them couple efficiently into the crystal. Tuning across 1.9-3.3 um needs only a simple intracavity tuning element.
Typical applications
Spectroscopy and sensing lead the list, since many molecules absorb strongly in this band. Medical and defense programs use these wavelengths as well. In addition, the crystal seeds or pumps mid-infrared optical parametric oscillators.
For tunable output closer to the near infrared, see also our Ti:Sapphire Laser Crystal. Request a quote for ZnSe(Cr) Laser Crystal with your tuning and power targets.
