Development of an eye-safe solid-state tunable laser transmitter in the 1:4-1:5μm wavelength region based on Cr⁴⁺:YAG crystal for lidar applications

The thermal lensing during pulsed operation was measured. Optimal performance occurred at a crystal temperature of 34 °C and resulted in an output energy of ~7 mJ and a pulse duration of ~35 ns.

Tunability in the range of 1350-1500 nm, spectral linewidth of ~200 GHz, and M2<4 are demonstrated. The main laser material parameters are estimated. Such a laser could be employed in a laboratory-based nonscanning lidar system if a narrowband birefringent filter is installed.