Spectroscopic and laser properties of Cr2+ ions in Zn1−xMgxSe solid solutions

•Novel laser materials generating in the mid-IR 2-3 μμm spectral range were investigated.•The materials are based on Cr2+ active ions in ZnMgSe solid solution.•Spectroscopic properties for the 80 to 300 K temperature range are presented.•Laser generation under laser-diode pumping is demonstrated.•Increasing Mg content leads to longer wavelength generation.

Investigations of spectroscopic and laser properties of Cr2+ ions in Zn1−xMgxSe solid solutions with different Zn–Mg ratio described by the Mg content x ranging from 0 to 0.3 are carried out. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of Cr2+ ions shift towards longer wavelengths with the increasing x is presented. Fluorescence spectra and lifetime for the 80–300 K temperature range are shown. Lasing properties are demonstrated and the laser output wavelength red shift with the increasing magnesium content x is in a good agreement with the measured fluorescence spectra.