Mid-infrared self-pulse generation and enhanced pulse compression in Ho3+/Pr3+ co-doped lasers

The stable ∼ 3 μm self-pulsing laser has been achieved for the first time, along with compact and efficient pulse compression and amplification, based on the growth of novel Ho,Pr:GdScO₃ crystals. Using the conventional Czochralski method, we have grown novel Ho,Pr:GdScO₃ crystals with three different polarization-directions and discovered the self-pulsing effect within the crystals. Leveraging this phenomenon, we have successfully obtained linearly-polarized self-pulsing lasers in the mid-infrared (MIR) band and demonstrated the strong stability of the pulse trains both theoretically and experimentally. In addition, a novel pulse compression and enhancement method has been developed to maximize the performance of the self-pulsed Ho,Pr:GdScO₃ lasers. Compared to self-pulsed lasers, the novel low-loss pulse compression can provide a more compact and efficient solution for enhancing the peak power of laser pulses. The results combine self-pulsed Ho,Pr:GdScO₃ crystals with pulse compression and enhancement techniques to facilitate miniaturization and integration of high-peak-power, narrow-pulse-width MIR pulsed lasers.