Nd:YLF laser at 13 µm for calcium atom optical clocks and precision spectroscopy of hydrogenic systems

We describe single-frequency operation of a diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser in the range 1311.9-1317.2 nm. It can be used for the interrogation of the clock transition in calcium (1314.0 nm) or spectroscopy in hydrogen and metastable singly ionized helium (1312.6 nm). By using a twisted-mode cavity, we have obtained output powers of 830 and 970 mW at 1312.6 and 1314.0 nm, respectively, in a single longitudinal mode.