TRANSITION-METAL, GLASS-CERAMIC GAIN MEDIA

摘要

A gain medium for use in optical amplifiers or laser oscillators is disclosed. The gain medium includes a transition-metal doped glass-ceramic material having a crystal phase and a glass phase. The crystal phase is formed in situ in the glass phase, with the transition metal ions preferentially partitioning into the crystalline sites from the glass phase. The crystalline sites so formed have a size of less than 50 nm, and the transition metal ions within them are capable of lasing at a wavelength within the range of about 900 to 3000 nm. Also disclosed are amplifier and laser oscillator configurations, where the glass-ceramic gain medium is applied in a variety of configurations. Also disclosed is a method of amplifying a signal of light wherein the glass-ceramic gain medium is pumped with light energy so as to excite the transition metal ions, and the signal of light is transmitted through the gain medium while the transition metal ions are excited, whereby the signal of light is amplified. Also disclosed is a method of producing laser oscillation wherein the glass-ceramic gain medium is included in a laser cavity, pumped with optical energy to excite the transition metal ions, and the resulting radiation is forced to oscillate by the use of reflecting surfaces for feedback.