Compact highly efficient 2.1-W continuous-wave mid-IR Fe:ZnSe coherent source pumped by Er:ZBLAN fiber laser

We report the compact and robust coherent source operating in mid-IR based on Fe:ZnSe chalcogenide gain medium optically pumped by Er:ZBLAN fiber laser. The output power of 2.1 W with 59% slope efficiency with respect to absorbed pump power at liquid nitrogen cooling is achieved. We show that strong re-absorption at high pump power and iron ion doping concentrations leads to the continuous tuning of central wavelength from 4012 to 4198 nm. Robustness of high power Er:ZBLAN fiber laser combined with prominent spectroscopic properties of Fe:ZnSe media pave the way for the development of reliable tunable CW mid-IR sources for scientific and industrial purposes.