Intracavity laser spectroscopy using a Cr2+ : ZnSe laser

A Cr²⁺ : ZnSe laser emitting 100-μs pulses tunable in the 2–3-μm region is used for the first time for the highly sensitive detection of absorption spectra by the method of intracavity laser spectroscopy. The intracavity absorption spectra of the atmospheric air were recorded at different instants of lasing in the spectral region from 2.41 to 2.46 μm. An increase in the sensitivity of the laser emission spectrum to intracavity absorption was observed over the entire range of lasing durations studied.