Abstract
Cobalt ions (Co2+) embedded in tetrahedral (Td) sites are known for their intense absorption around 1.5 μm. Crystals such as spinel, MgAl 2 O 4 , doped with Co2+ ions in Td sites are recognized as excellent saturable absorbers (SAs) for eye-safe erbium lasers. Due to the relative difficulty to grow high-quality Co:MgAl 2 O 4 crystals and fixed position of the Co2+ absorption band in spinel single-crystals, other Co2+-doped materials were proposed such as transparent glass-ceramics (GCs) and ceramics based on various spinels [1]. Transparent GCs offer a size-scalable synthesis method based on glass melting technology and variable spectroscopic properties as compared to crystals, and much higher laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) as compared to ceramics. GCs based on MgAl 2 O 4 spinel nanocrystals modified by the addition of Ga3+ cations allow one to extend the SA properties until 1.7 μm [2].
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