Increasing the radiation energy of ZnSe : Fe²⁺ laser at room temperature

Characteristics of the laser on a polycrystalline ZnSe : Fe²⁺ sample pumped by the radiation of a non-chain electro-discharge HF laser at room temperature are investigated. The radiation spot of the HF laser on a surface of an active element had an elliptical shape with the axes a × b = 2.8 × 3.2 ÷ 8.25 × 9.5 mm. A maximal generation energy E = 192 mJ was obtained at the efficiency with respect to the energy absorbed in the sample η_abs = 23% at the dimensions of the pumping spot a × b = 6.8 × 7.5 mm. In this case, a maximal slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed energy was η_sl = 29%. At the spot dimensions a × b = 2.8 × 3.2 mm the slope efficiency was η_sl = 34%. Possibilities of a further increase of the generation energy of a ZnSe : Fe²⁺ laser pumped by radiation of the HF laser at room temperature are discussed. (letter)