Continuously tunable 2.3 /spl mu/m Tm:GSGG laser

For efficient operation of the Tm/sup 3+/ 2.3 /spl mu/m /sup 3/H/sub 4/-/sup 3/H/sub 5/ laser transition, a suitable host with low multiphonon decay rates, such as Gd/sub 3/Sc/sub 2/Ga/sub 3/0/sub 12/ (GSGG), is desirable. Continuously tunable, CW, room temperature laser operation of this transition is demonstrated for Tm:GSGG. Broadband tuning is obtained from 2.20-2.37 /spl mu/m. >