Spectroscopy and tunable continuous-wave operation of Cr2+:Zn1-xMgxSe single crystal around 2.5 μm

Hexagonal single crystals of the Cr2+:Zn1-xMgxSe solid solution are grown by the Bridgman – Stockbarger technique. We study their optical and photoluminescent characteristics and determine the temperature dependences of the photoluminescence kinetics within the range 5 – 440 K. The crystals possess a broad gain band in the range from 2 to 3.5 μm and exhibit a weak quenching of luminescence with a quantum yield exceeding 80% at room temperature. Tunable continuous-wave oscillation is demonstrated in the region of 2.5 μm.