Efficient Fe:CdTe laser with an output energy of 350 mJ at room temperature

The record value of the output energy of Fe:CdTe laser, as well as the slope and total efficiency in terms of absorbed energy of 350 mJ, 57% and 42%, respectively, were obtained at the room temperature of the active element. An Fe:CdTe single crystal was pumped by a nonchain electric discharge deuterium fluoride laser operated in the spectral range of 3.6-4.06 mu m. The pump pulse full duration at half maximum was 220 ns. The output energy of the Fe:CdTe laser was limited by the development of transverse parasitic oscillations for pump spot diameters on the crystal surface of more than 11 mm. A laser with a non-selective cavity generated in the ranges of 5.5-6.0 mu m and 5.3-5.5 mu m at the output mirror reflectances of 53% and 21%, respectively.