A continuous-wave Cr2+:ZnS laser tunable over ∼280 nm was presented. The ZnS crystals were grown by chemical vapor transport (CVT) and diffusion-doping. The laser was pumped at 1.67 μm generating over 100 mW of output power at 16 % slope efficiency. Results of the laser and spectroscopic analysis indicated the potential of the crystal as an active medium for diode-pumped tunable mid-infrared sources.
