Iron doped silver halide crystals and their potential as middle infrared solid state lasers

Abstract

The spectroscopic properties of Fe2+:AgClxBr1−x crystals were investigated in the near and the middle infrared. Broad absorption bands were observed at low temperatures in the 1.3–2.5 μm range, and broad emission bands were observed in the 2.5–4.4 μm range. Luminescence lifetimes of up to 160 μs were measured at 3.6 μm. These results indicate that Fe2+:AgClxBr1−x crystals can be used as gain media for middle infrared solid-state lasers, operating continuously at 80 K. These doped silver halide crystals can be extruded to form optical fibers, possibly introducing another family of fiber lasers for this spectral range.