100 kHz linewidth Cr2+:ZnSe ring laser tunable from 2.12 to 2.58 mu m

We demonstrate a single-frequency, room temperature Cr2+:ZnSe laser widely tunable in the mid-infrared spectral region from 2.12 to 2.58 mu m. Using a compact unidirectional ring cavity configuration, we obtain a maximum output power of 160 mW with an emission linewidth of similar to 100 kHz in a 1 ms observation time. As a result, we can accurately report amplitude- and frequency-noise characterizations. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America