Method and apparatus for producing an eye-safe laser

摘要

A lasing apparatus includes a laser medium and a pump source. The laser medium includes one of a Holmium-doped fluoride crystal or a Holmium-doped fluorozirconate ZBLAN glass fiber. The pump source generates pulses that resonantly pump the laser medium such that the laser medium produces an output from the ⁵I₅ level to the ⁵I₇ level of Holmium. The pump source produces pulses having a duration that is at least as long as a storage time of the ⁵I₅ level of the laser medium. The pump source pumps the laser medium with signals having a wavelength shorter than 1.67 mum, with the laser medium producing an output having a wavelength of about 1.67 mum.