Abstract
Utilizing high-power GaN laser diodes emitting light at 444nm, which have been developed for a blue light source in laser rear projection displays, high-power coherent red light at 639nm, which is also useful for laser rear projection displays, becomes available from Pr3+ doped LiYF4 lasers. In this paper, development of Pr3+: LiYF4 lasers are reviewed. In our experiment, the highest laser power of 112mW was achieved with the optical-optical conversion efficiency of 33.5%. Characteristics of this laser at elevated temperatures were also investigated for practical applications such as a laser projector.
