Recent progress in transition metal doped II-VI semiconductor materials (mainly Cr2+:ZnSe) makes them the laser
sources of choice when one needs a compact system with continuous tunability over 2-3.1 &mgr;m, output powers up to
2.7 W, and high (up to 70%) conversion efficiency. The unique combination of technological (low-cost ceramic
material) and spectroscopic characteristics make these materials ideal candidates for "non-traditional" regimes of
operation such as microchip and multi-line lasing. This article reviews these non-traditional Cr-doped mid-IR lasers as
well as describes emerging Fe2+:ZnSe lasers having potential to operate at room temperature over the spectral range
extended to 3.7-5.1 &mgr;m. In addition to effective RT mid-IR lasing transition metal doped II-VI media, being wide band
semiconductors, hold potential for direct electrical excitation. This work shows the initial steps towards achieving this
goal by studying Cr2+, Co2+, and Fe2+ doped quantum dots. We have demonstrated a novel method of TM doped II-VI
quantum dots fabrication based on laser ablation in liquid environment. TM doped II-VI quantum dots demonstrated
strong mid-IR luminescence. It opens a new pathway for future optically and electrically pumped mid-IR lasers based
on TM doped quantum confined structures.
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