Saturable absorption of color centers in Nd3+and Nd3+-Yb3+laser glass

Abstract

Summary form only, as given. By saturated absorption of color centers in glass, self Q-switched pulses are obtaine. One of the commonly used laser glasses contains 5 wt. percent Nd2 O3 in a glass base consisting of 72 wt. percent SiOz, 11 K20, S NaBO, 1 LizO, 5 BaO, 2 AlzO and 1 Sb203. The antimony is added for bubble removal in making the glass and to prevent solarization. If the antimony is left out, color centers are produced by ultraviolet light whose wavelength is shorter than 300 nm. Three broad absorption bands result, which are stable at room temperature.