Infrared absorption and luminescence emission of cobalt doped silver halide crystals were investigated at room temperature and at low temperatures. A broad absorption band was observed in the near-infrared (1.4–2.5 µm) and a broad emission band in the middle-infrared (3.5–5.2 µm). The emission lifetime varied between 1.73 ms at low temperatures and 5 µs at room temperature. Based on the measured parameters and theoretical calculations, we believe that there is an excellent chance that these crystals would lase in the mid-IR. Moreover, it would be possible to extrude fibers from the crystals and obtain mid-IR fiber lasers.

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