In a study published in Optics Express, a research group led by Prof. Fu Yuxi from Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics (XIOPM) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed the first room temperature holmium-doped yttrium lithium fluoride (Ho: YLF) composite thin disk laser, which can achieve high efficiency and quality continuous-wave laser output.

Lasers operating in the 2 µm spectral range are highly valued for their eye safety, high water absorption, and low atmospheric attenuation.

Conventional 2 µm lasers typically require cryogenic cooling to control thermal effects, which increases system complexity and cost, and restricts their use in compact, space-constrained, and mobile platforms. Therefore, developing high-power, room-temperature 2 µm lasers has become a vital research direction.