Research and Development of Yttrium Aluminate Lasers.
Abstract
Yttrium orthoaluminate (YA1O3) doped with rare earth ions is investigated for use as an optically-pumped laser material. Two laser ions are studied in detail: neodymium (Nd3+) and holmium (Ho3+) sensitized with erbium and thulium. Measurements of optical absorption and emission spectra, fluorescence kinetics, and stimulated emission corss section are reported. Nd:YA1O3 laser rods are oriented along the three principal crystallographic directions were tested in long-pulse, Q-switched, and CW operation. The laser outputs and efficiencies of Nd:YA1O3 are compared with those obtained from Nd:YAG in the same operating configuration. Ho:YA1O3 laser action is investigated at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Long-pulse and Q-switched laser performance is reported for three different rod orientations. To provide information for predicting laser action and performance of other rare-earth ions in YA1O3, experiments and calculations of radiative transitions probabilities and of nonradiative decay by multiphonon emissions are presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0746032
Entities
People
- Marvin J. Weber
- Michael Bass
Organizations
- RTX