Study of the characteristics of a laser based on the [CR.sup.2+]-ion doped ZnS polycrystal obtained by the method of chemical vapor deposition

We study the lasing characteristics of the [Cr.sup.2+] :ZnS-crystal laser pumped by the pulsed-periodic [Tm.sup.3+] :YLF laser, as well as the lasing polarization properties. The [Cr.sup.2+] :ZnS sample was obtained by chemical vapor deposition of zinc sulfide doped by the chrome ions in the high-temperature isostatic processing. Total efficiency of the pump-power conversion to lasing power at a level of 33% was reached, which corresponds to a laser differential efficiency of about 55% in terms of the absorbed power.