Development of Host Crystals for Ce(+3) Blue and Blue-Green Solid-State Lasers.
Abstract
Blue-green lasers operating at equivalent 480 nm, a region of sea water transparency, could become an integral part of undersea and air-to-sea communiction and imaging systems. During Phase I of this program, wide band gap oxides were examined which could support Ce+3 luminescence in this region. A basic requirement for observing Ce+3 d yields f luminescence in this region is a cubic site symmetry as is found in the Th+4 or Ce+4 position of THO2 and CeO2, or the La+3 position of LaAl03 and LaAl1-xScx03 (perovskites). These oxides were synthesized, doped with Ce+3, using either oxidation of mixed oxalates for THO2.Ce, or a combination of component oxides in a molten BaCO3/BaF2 flux for the perovskites. Total luminescence spectra of the oxides revealed a two componenet fluorescence between 400 and 500 nm in all cases, with two excitation maxima between 320 and 380 nm. Some contribution to the spectra from Ce+4 or from an impurity defect center could not be ruled out. A concerted effort on production of optical quality specimens of the promising materials, either as clear ceramics or single crystals, is recommended for Phase II of this investigation so that they may be evaluated as lasers. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA117899
Entities
People
- A. Nancy Scoville
- R. David Rauh