Efficient flash lamp pumped YSGG:Cr:Yb:Ho laser at 3 micron

We demonstrated that flash lamp-pumped YSGG:Cr:Yb:Ho laser at 3 /spl mu/m is feasible for practical use both in free running and Q-switched modes. This laser has high amplification gain. An output energy of 62 mJ was obtained by amplification of 10 mJ laser pulse. With improved optical components we believe that a scaled up configuration of the master oscillator and single pass amplifier will achieve reliable lasing up to 100 mJ in TEM/sub 00/ mode. That would give this laser new possibilities for applications in IR nonlinear optics and medicine.