Development of a Novel Laser Material for Miniaturized Laser Systems

Abstract

Crystals of NdP5O14 (NPP), NdLiP4O12 (LNP), and NdxY(1-x)Al3(BO3)4 (NAB) have been grown from high-temperature fluxed solutions. LNP crystals of good optical quality could only be grown on the surface of the flux, indicating that top seeding methods might be the most suitable for obtaining large crystals for fabrication of laser rods. Crystals of NAB were small and contained flux inclusions. Other fluxes and various Nd:Y ratios will be used in future experiments to determine if optically clear single-phase crystals can be grown which are large enough for fabrication of laser rods. Fluorescence lifetime and transmission spectra of NPP, LNP, and NAB crystals grown in-house have been measured. The results of these measurements compare favorably with the reported values in the literature. Except in the case of NAB, we have observed increased background absorption in the shorter wavelength region of the visible spectrum. It is believed that this behavior of NAB may be caused by the presence of Pb in the crystal. The experimental laser setup designed previously has been completed. During initial experiments, we measured the output energy per pulse, and observed the transverse-mode structure of the beam and temporal behavior of the output pulse.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1981
Accession Number
ADA100510

Entities

People

  • Jacob B Khurgin
  • Sel Colak
  • Walter K. Zwicker

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Absorption
  • Crystal Growth
  • Crystals
  • Fabrication
  • Flash Lamps
  • Fluorescence
  • High Temperature
  • Literature
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Neodymium Compounds
  • Optical Properties
  • Power Supplies
  • Scattering
  • Spectra
  • Transition Temperature
  • Transverse

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Directed Energy - Pulsed-Laser Deposition