Quasicontinuous operation of a KZnF3:Cr3+ laser

Quasicontinuous generation of infrared laser pulses of ~0.1 msec duration was achieved by pumping a KZnF3:Cr3+ crystal with ruby laser radiation. Tuning was possible in the range Δλ ≈ 785–865 nm. The KZnF3:Cr3+ laser was tested in an intracavity spectrum analyzer, which was used to study the absorption spectra of atmospheric air and of plasma.