Preparation and Single Crystal Growth of YLiF4 Laser Materials.
Abstract
This report describes fluoride preparation and single crystal growth of the solid state crystal laser of composition Y(.45)Er(.499) Tm(.05)Ho(.001)LiF4. The respective component fluorides were prepared from 5-9's oxides by hydrofluorination at 800-1200C in a platinum reactor. Single crystal growth was performed by a seeded-solution method utilizing platinum apparatus under a N2-HF atmosphere. Techniques were developed for core drilling and fabricating (3 x 30 mm) or (3 x 50 mm) a-axis cylindrical rods. Passive optical tests have demonstrated high quality and freedom from scattering sites. Infrared analyses on 5-10 cm paths have shown low ppm trace molecular impurities. Active laser tests in long pulse and Q-switch operation are not completed but preliminary data indicate threshold above 10 joules due to compositional effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA009895
Entities
People
- Richard C. Puttbach
- Robert Uhrin
- Roger F. Belt