Transparent polycrystalline ceramic laser materials

• Published in: Optical materials Vol. 30; no. 11; pp. 1781 - 1786
• Main Authors: Lupei, V., Lupei, A., Ikesue, A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-07-2008; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Communication, education, history, and philosophy; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Laser ceramics; Laser materials; Optical materials; Optics; Physics; Physics literature and publications; Polycrystalline materials; Solid-state lasers; Transparent ceramics; Solid-state lasers; Laser ceramics; Laser materials; Transparent ceramics; Polycrystalline materials; Energy-level transitions; Monocrystals; Garnets; Doped materials; Polycrystals; Laser ceramics;Transparent ceramics;Laser materials;Polycrystalline materials;Solid-state lasers; Rare earth additions; Chemical composition; Optical materials
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2008.03.003

High-resolution spectroscopy of the rare earth ions in transparent ceramics of garnets and sesquioxides produced by solid-state synthesis indicate that the variety, nature and structure of the centers formed by the doping ions, their quantum states (energy levels, transition probabilities) and interionic interactions as well as the distribution of the doping ions at the available lattice sites is similar to those of the corresponding single crystals. Moreover, the increased compositional versatility of ceramics enables tailoring of new or improved laser materials. It is inferred that from spectroscopic point of view, the transparent polycrystalline ceramics can substitute the single crystal and extend their capabilities.