All-solid-state gain-switched Cr4+:forsterite laser

We developed an all-solid-state Cr4+:forsterite laser pumped by a kHz Q-switched diode-pumped Nd:YAG oscillator. The laser is tunable from 1190 to 1310 nm, and generates pulses with duration 70-100 ns and maximum energy 14 uJ at 1230 nm, corresponding to a pumping efficiency 10%. This system could be employed as a regenerative amplifier in an ultrafast all-solid-state system based on Cr4+:forsterite.