Development Of Solid-state Lasers Research Articles

How to stay on Top of Solid‐State Laser Development

AbstractToday solid‐state lasers are plug'n play devices, with long lifetime and high reliability. This has become possible through rigorous quality control and semi‐automated production. Andreas Thoss met Reinhard Luger, general manager of Coherent's site in Luebeck where precise manufacturing technology has become a key to success.

Middle infrared luminescence of Tb 3+ in silver halide crystals and fibers

The optical absorption and the luminescence emission were investigated in AgCl x Br 1− x crystals (0< x<1) doped with Tb 3+ ions and in fibers extruded from these crystals. Strong luminescence emission in the middle infrared (MIR) in the spectral range 4.2–5.6 μm was observed for the first time in such crystals and fibers. 1 1 Butvina et al. measured MIR luminescence from AgBr 1− x I x polycrystalline fiber. However, the emission was too weak to allow a detailed spectroscopic analysis of the luminescence spectrum.—“The middle IR luminescence of Tb 3+ doped AgBr 1− x I x polycrystalline fiber” by Butvina, L.N., Dianov, E.M., Okhrimchuk, A.G., Lichkova, N.V., Zavgordnev, V.N. (Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe—Technical Digest, 354pp.). Various optical parameters were calculated for the Tb 3+-doped crystals, using the Judd–Ofelt approximation. The measured and the calculated results have indicated that these doped crystals could be used for the development of solid-state lasers or fiber lasers operating in the middle infrared.

Introduction to the Issue on Progress in Solid-State, Fiber, and Tunable Sources

The 42 papers in this special issue are focused on progress in solid-state, fiber, and tunable sources. The issue is dedicated to the memory of Theodore H. Maiman, who kicked off the rapid growth of solid-state laser development in 1960. The papers are organized into six subject areas: power scaling strategies; fiber lasers and amplifiers; thin-disk lasers; planar waveguide and thin slab lasers; tunable sources and nonlinear frequency conversion; and progress in laser materials.

Material synthesis and infrared optical properties of transition metal doped binary and ternary II-VI semiconductors

ABSTRACTWe report on the material preparation and optical characterization of transition metal (Cr, Co) doped ternary cadmium chalcogenides for possible applications in mid-infrared (MIR) light source development. Cr2+ doped II-VI's (e.g. ZnSe, ZnS) have received significant attention for MIR solid-state laser development in the 2-3 μm region. Transition metal (TM) doped II-VI thin films are also currently being studied for the development of broadly tunable MIR sources pumped through electrical carrier-injection. In this paper, we present results of the material synthesis and IR spectroscopy of several Cr and Co doped cadmium chalcogenides including CdTe, CdMnTe, CdZnTe, CdMgTe, CdCaTe, and CdSrTe. Following the synthesis and purification of undoped II-VI materials, TM doping was achieved during in-situ Bridgman growth or through a thermal diffusion process. The Cr2+ doped II-VI materials were characterized by broad IR absorption bands centered at ∼1800–1900 nm and MIR emission extending from ∼2000–3500 nm. The emission lifetimes varied between 1-5 μs, depending on the Cr concentration and host composition. Co2+ doped cadmium chalcogenides exhibited several absorption bands in the infrared region and broad emission extending from ∼3-5 μm. Compared to Cr2+ doped II-VI's, the emission from Co2+ doped chalcogenides was significantly quenched at room-temperature due to the onset of non-radiative relaxations.

Guest Editorial: Special Section on Solid State Lasers

Progress in the development of solid state lasers has come at an ever increasing rate in recent years. As improved solid state laser materials and higher quality nonlinear optical crystals have become available, advances in the range and scope of solid state lasers has continued to expand.

On the observation of 2.8 μm emission from diode-pumped Er3+- and Yb3+-doped low silica calcium aluminate glasses

In this letter, we investigate the midinfrared photoluminescence of a series of diode-pumped Er3+-doped and Er3+, Yb3+-codoped low-silica content aluminosilicate glasses. Emission at 2.8 μm was observed in both single doped and codoped samples. The effect of Yb3+ codoping of the Er3+-doped samples was such that, for example, for a 2 wt % Er3+-doped, the photoluminescence yield at 2.8 μm was found to be roughly three times larger than that of the single 2 wt % Er3+-doped sample. This behavior was attributed to the efficient sensitization of Er3+ by Yb3+ in our oxide based host glasses. The results reported in this letter, together with the outstanding mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties of these glasses, suggest that rare-earth doped calcium aluminate glasses may become an attractive host for the development of solid state lasers operating in the midinfrared.

New developments in solid state lasers

Solid state dye lasers emitting in the range 540–615 nm were prepared by incorporating perylimide and pyrromethene dyes into glasses prepared by a biphase process and by a one step process. A number of various glass compositions were tested and their efficiencies were measured. The optimal efficiency for the lasers pumped transversally approaches 30%.

Diode arrays, crystals, and thermal management for solid-state lasers

We summarize our efforts in the development of solid-state lasers, including the laser diode arrays, pump light delivery, approaches to thermal management, and novel gain media. Our interests are in developing unique solid-state lasers, including those operating at higher powers, offering less common wavelengths, and having other specialized features. In this paper, we discuss high-power Tm:YAG and Yb:YAG lasers. The gas cooled slab laser concept using Yb:S-FAP, and side-pumped Er:YAG and Cr:ZnSe lasers. We address the optical and thermal physics of these systems and also mention several additional gain media that have the potential of offering unique performance characteristics: Ce:LiSAF, APG-2 laser glass, Dy:LaCl/sub 3/, and Yb:BCBF.

Ba2ErCl7—a new near IR to near UV upconversion material

New near IR to near UV upconversion (UC) materials are required for the development of solid state lasers pumped by laser diodes. Two materials are reported: an air‐stable and efficient UC material emitting mostly in the yellowish‐green and a very promising UC compound, Ba2ErCl7, which is being further characterized spectroscopically. THe general requirements for UC materials are briefly discussed, and the preparation of Ba2ErCl7 detailed. The intensity of individual emission bands is compared for known and new UC materials.

Temporal model of an optically pumped co-doped solid state laser

Currently, research is being conducted on the optical properties of materials associated with the development of solid-state lasers in the 2 micron region. In support of this effort, a mathematical model describing the energy transfer in a holmium laser sensitized with thulium is developed. In this paper, we establish some qualitative properties of the solution of the model, such as non-negativity, boundedness, and integrability. A local stability analysis is then performed from which conditions for asymptotic stability are obtained. Finally, we report on our numerical analysis of the system and how it compares with experimental results.

Non-radiative energy transfer in non-uniform codoped laser crystals

A new, general treatment of Förster-Dexter non-radiative energy transfer applied to non-uniform codoped fluorescing crystals is described. Analytical expressions for excited-state donor concentrations in cases where the spherically symmetric distribution of acceptors is a function of the radial distance from the donor are presented. Two simple cases relevant to current experiments are highlighted. This work is of general interest due to the growing importance of non-radiative energy transfer in solid-state laser development.

Neodymium lasers as a source of synchronized high-power optical pulses

The recent considerable progress in the development of solid-state lasers, primarily neodymium-based lasers for use as sources of short, synchronized, high-power optical pulses, is reviewed. The amplification of femtosecond optical pulses using synchronous amplification techniques with these lasers has proved particularly applicable to experimentation. The authors also presents a laser design which combines several advantageous qualities into a single laser cavity. >

Prospects for developing attractive inertial fusion concepts

The authors discuss the role of inertial fusion in relationship to defense activities as well as in relation to energy alternatives. Other general advantages to inertial fusion besides maintaining the system more cheaply and easily, are discussed such as certain designs and the use of very short wavelength with a very modest laser intensity. A discussion on the direct illumination approach is offered. The progress made in high-gain target physics and the potential for development of solid-state lasers as a potential multimegajoule driver and a potential high-rep-rate fusion driver are discussed. Designs for reaction chambers are examined, as is the heavy-ion fusion program. Light-ion accelerators are also discussed.

Luminescence studies of rare earth doped lithium tetraborate

Rare earth doped lithium tetraborate samples in the glassy state were studied by optical absorption, TL emission and UV excited emission showed the characteristic luminescence of the rare earth ions (4f state). Room temperature luminescence studies showed a high efficiency for the unirradiated samples. The fact also suggests the use of this material for solid state laser development. The dosimetric aspects of Li 2B 4O 7 : RE were also studied. Having a lower sensitivity than CaSO 4 doped with rare earth, Li 2B 4O 7 : RE showed, however, better general practical characteristics when compared with CaSO 4 : Dy in the pellet form. The dosimetric properties of polycrystalline pellets of Li 2B 4O 7 : RE are reported.