New phosphate glass for lasers with a high repetition frequency of output pulses

Abstract

Some lasing characteristics were determined for a new Na–Al phosphate glass of the LGS-T type characterized by a higher thermal conductivity and thermal stability than the known phosphate glasses and by a fairly high thermal expansion coefficient, which made it possible to synthesize athermal glasses. No concentration quenching of the neodymium luminescence was observed when this glass contained up to 6 wt.% Nd2O3. Active elements in the form of rods 8 mm in diameter and 100 mm long were capable of an average output power in excess of 20 W at a repetition frequency of 15 Hz. The investigated glass had good technological characteristics and could be manufactured on a large scale.