Spectral Diversity Crystalline Fluoride Lasers,
Abstract
Within the realm of crystalline laser materials, the class of fluorides distinguishes itself mostly by the wide variety of laser wavelengths displayed. Laser operation has now been reported from 3.9 micrometers in the infrared to 286 nm in the ultraviolet. Many are operated flash-lamp pumped, while others have shown high utility as linear down conversion lasers and rare earth ion, while others are sensitized by other co-dopants which absorb the pump energy and transfer it to the active laser ions. The potential of large spectral diversity for laser operation is due both to the wide window of transparency that fluorides possess and the lower rates of non-radiative decay. The high band gap in the ultraviolet also leads to low linear absorption, low non-linear refractive indices and multiphoton absorption. Additionally, the good chemical stability displayed by high purity stoichiometric fluoride compounds allows their use with ultraviolet pump sources at high energies, without incurring UV induced damage. We review the most recent research associated with such materials, particularly the host crystal, lithium yttrium fluoride, LiYF4 (YLF). (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA162712
Entities
People
- A. Linz
- C. S. Naiman
- D. R. Gabbe
- H. P. Jenssen
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology