Eye-Safe Polycrystalline Lasers
Abstract
This program developed novel ceramic and single crystal laser gain media as a platform for power scaling to +100 kW class levels. Hydrothermal techniques were used for purification, bulk crystal growth and epitaxial growth of complex crystals. Successive recrystallization of commercial powders exhibited one order of magnitude improvement in purity. Bulk single crystal growth was demonstrated for scandia and lutetia single crystals, as well as several lanthanide-doped homologs. Crystal growth was performed at temperatures of about 1/4 the melting point of the oxides. The crystals exhibited higher thermal conductivities than that of YAG. A new technique was developed to apply epitaxial crystal growth to refractory oxide systems. Submicrometer-grained transparent ceramics were fabricated by two-step sintering compacts of these nanopowders followed by hot isostatic pressing. These transparent ceramics exhibited equivalent transparency to that of the single crystal in the near-infrared spectral region and initial lasing results have been successful.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA580531
Entities
People
- John Ballato
- Joseph Kolis
- Oscar Stafsudd
Organizations
- Clemson University