Tm:YAG laser generating Q-switched pulses in the atmospheric window around the wavelength of 2036nm

We investigated the generation of radiation in the atmospheric window around the wavelength of 2036 nm using a Tm:YAG laser with a volume Bragg grating used for wavelength stabilization. The laser operated in both free-running and electro-optically Q-switched regimes. The Tm:YAG sample (4 at. % of Tm3+, 3 mm length, 3 mm diameter) was pumped by a laser diode emitting at 786 nm (pulse duration of 10 ms for free-running and 5 ms for Q-switching, repetition rate of 10 Hz). In the free-running regime, we achieved a maximum output power of 205 mW and a slope efficiency of 23.3 %, with a generated wavelength of 2036 nm. For Q-switched operation, we obtained pulses with a duration of 230 ns, a maximum pulse energy of 241 μJ, and a peak power of 817 W at 2036 nm.