Development of Nd-doped solid-state laser materials for 944 nm operation

Author

Noginov, M.A. ; Loutts, G.B. ; Lucas, B.D. ; Fider, D. ; Higgins, P.T. ; Truong, A. ; Noginova, N. ; Barnes, N.P. ; Kuck, S.

Author_Institution

Center for Mater. Res., Norfolk State Univ., VA, USA

Volume

37

Issue

3

fYear

2001

fDate

3/1/2001 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

469

Lastpage

481

Abstract

We have grown neodymium-doped mixed apatite crystals [(Sr_1-xBa_x)₅(PO₄)₃F, Sr₅(P_1-xV_xO₄)₃F, and Ba ₅(P_1-xV_xO₄)₃F] and spectroscopically studied them as potential gain media for a laser source for atmospheric water sensing operating at 944.11 nm. We conclude that an appropriate apatite host material for a 944.11 nm laser should be a mixture of Sr₅(PO₄)₃F. With a small fraction of Ba₅(PO₄)₃F. Precise wavelength tuning around 944.11 nm can be accomplished by varying the host composition, temperature, and threshold population inversion. In apatite crystals of mixed composition, the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) loss at 1.06 μm is predicted to be significantly smaller than that in the end members

Keywords

atmospheric humidity; atmospheric measuring apparatus; atmospheric techniques; infrared sources; infrared spectroscopy; laser transitions; laser tuning; neodymium; optical materials; population inversion; solid lasers; superradiance; (Sr_1-xBa_x)₅(PO₄) ₃F; 1.06 mum; 944 nm operation; 944.11 nm; Ba₅(P_1-xV_xO₄)₃F; Ba₅(PO₄)₃F:Nd; Nd-doped solid-state laser materials; Sr₅(P_1-xV_xO₄)₃F; Sr₅(PO₄)₃F:Nd; amplified spontaneous emission loss; apatite host material; atmospheric water sensing; end members; gain media; host composition; laser source; neodymium-doped mixed apatite crystals; precise wavelength tuning; threshold population inversion; Composite materials; Crystalline materials; Crystals; Laser tuning; Optical materials; Solid lasers; Spectroscopy; Strontium; Temperature; Water resources;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.910459

Filename

910459