3～5 μm中红外激光处于大气传输窗口，在分子光谱学、环境遥感、工业加工、空间通讯、光电对抗等领域有重要的应用前景。过渡金属掺杂II-VI族硫化物晶体可以直接实现中红外激光输出，是最有前途的技术途径之一。具有优良物理特性和光谱特性的Fe:ZnSe晶体是高效、宽带可调谐中红外激光介质的有力竞争者，介绍并分析了Fe:ZnSe晶体的光谱特性及其制备方法，综合评述了Fe:ZnSe激光技术的发展历程和最新研究进展，指出制备高光学质量的Fe:ZnSe晶体和研制3 μm波段高效、高能窄脉冲泵浦源是发展实用室温Fe:ZnSe激光器当前面临的挑战。并对实现室温高能、高功率Fe:ZnSe激光的关键问题进行了讨论。

Mid-IR laser in 3-5 μm wavelength region is in the range of atmospheric transmission window, it is in great demand for a variety of applications including molecular spectroscopy, remote sensing for environmental monitoring, industrial process, free space communication, optoelectronic countermeasures. One of the most promising approaches to reach mid-IR spectral range is based on direct lasing of Transition Metal (TM) doped II-VI chalcogenide crystals. Fe2+ ions doped ZnSe laser crystals offer a special blend of physical and spectroscopic parameters that make them the gain media of choice for cost effective broadly tunable lasing in Mid-IR wavelength region. Spectroscopic properties and fabrication methods of Fe:ZnSe crystal were introduced, the development history and technology status of Fe:ZnSe laser were summarized. There are still several challenges to be overcome in the development of affordable room temperature Fe:ZnSe laser including fabrication of high optical quality gain elements and developing high efficient, high energy short pulse pump sources in 3 μm wavelength region. The key problems developing high energy, high power Fe:ZnSe laser at room temperature were analyzed.