Growth and Evaluation of Crystals of Four-Level Laser Materials.

摘要

This program was one of materials development work in four-level laser materials, with particular emphasis on obtaining room temperature laser action in the 940 nm region, largely with Nd(3+) as the activator ion. Initial work was concentrated on looking at LiYF4(YLF) as a material with the possibility of more efficient 940 nm operation and also with lower gain then YAG for Q-switched operation. While the 940 nm operation was not achieved, this research led to the use of this host with other ions in other programs leading to successful operation of alpha beta YLF:Ho (2.06 micrometers), YLF:Er (850 nm), and YLF:Tb (545 nm). Further work at the Night Vision Laboratory resulted in an evaluation of YLF:Nd(3+) as a 1.06 micrometer laser. A program is described investigating Ba2MgGe2O7 (BMAG) and Ba2ZnGe2O7 (BZAG) and various glasses based on these compositions. Studies were made of complex germanate garnet hosts, most particularly BaY2Mg2Ge3O12 (BAMGAR) and CaY2MgGe3O12 (CAMGAR) as neodymium laser materials.