2~5 μm中红外波段激光在定向红外对抗、反恐、生物医疗、环境监测、光通讯、强场物理、激光聚变等方面有重要应用, 还可用作5~20 μm中远红外激光输出的泵浦光源。从1 μm的Nd3+和Yb3+, 1.5 μm的Er3+, 2 μm的Tm3+和Ho3+, 2~3 μm的Tm3+和Cr2+, 3 μm的Er3+、Ho3+、U4+和Dy3+, 到4 μm的Fe2+和Ho3+, 再到大于4 μm的Dy3+、Er3+和Pr3+等, 不断向中波红外方向拓展, 是激光晶体发展的前沿。本文综述了近几年中红外波段激光晶体的研究现状, 并对其未来发展进行了简要评述。文中还涉及到部分透明陶瓷的工作。

2-5 μm mid-infrared laser has important applications in directional infrared countermeasures, anti-terrorism, biological medical treatment, environmental monitoring, optical communications, strong field physics and laser fusion et al. It can also be used as pump source for 5-20 μm mid- and far-infrared laser output. The study from Nd3+ and Yb3+ at 1 μm, Er3+ at 1.5 μm, Tm3+ and Ho3+ at 2 μm, Tm3+ and Cr2+ at 2-3 μm, Er3+, Ho3+, U4+and Dy3+ at 3 μm, Fe2+and Ho3+ at 4 μm, to Dy3+, Er3+and Pr3+ beyond 4 μm, continuously expands to the mid-wave infrared direction, which is the frontier of laser crystal development. In this paper, the research of mid-infrared laser crystals in recent years is reviewed, and its future development is commented briefly. The work of some transparent ceramics was involved.