Rare Earth Doped Apatite Laser Materials
Abstract
The report describes the current status of the second and third phases of a program to evaluate certain members of the apatite mineral family as hosts for the active laser ion holmium. A systematic study of the effect of growth parameters in the quality of fluorapatite (FAP) crystals doped with holmium and chromium indicates that growth rates below 2 mm/hr and rotation rate of 80 rpm should be optimum for crystal growth. For these conditions the distribution coefficients of Ho and Cr in FAP are 0.34 and 0.24, respectively. The physical properties of CaYSOAP have been measured and compiled. These properties were also tabulated for FAP. CaYSOAP exhibits a laser threshold of 30 to 60 joules at 77K. Despite approximately 10%/cm scattering losses efficiencies of 0.61% have been obtained in long pulse tests from these crystals. An unsaturated Q-switch output of 50 mj with 135 j input to the lamp has been achieved for CaYSOAP.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0878030
Entities
People
- G. W. Roland
- N. T. Melamed
- Richard H. Hopkins
- T. H. Henningsen