Stabilization and Passive Mode Locking of CW Alexandrite Lasers

Abstract

Alexandrite is a solid state laser material which lases in the range of 700-800 nm. Alexandrite has been lased continuously by pumping with a krypton ion laser1 and by pumping with xenon and mercury arc lamps2. When alexandrite is pumped with the krypton ion laser, the output is very stable and, when the pump source is removed, the output damps through population oscillations which can be well described by rate equations3. However, when alexandrite is pumped by the xenon or mercury arc lamps, the output is very noisy at certain pumping levels. Experimental data showing this noisy operation will be presented and sources of this noise will be discussed.