Processing technology, laser, optical and thermal properties of ceramic laser gain materials

Mark Dubinskii; Larry D. Merkle; John R. Goff; Gregory J. Quarles; Vida K. Castillo; Kenneth L. Schepler; David Zelmon; Shekhar Guha; Leonel P. Gonzalez; Matthew R. Rickey; Julie J. Lee; S. M. Hegde; John Q. Dumm; Gary L. Messing; Sang-Ho Lee

doi:10.1117/12.602879

1 June 2005 Processing technology, laser, optical and thermal properties of ceramic laser gain materials

Mark Dubinskii, Larry D. Merkle, John R. Goff, Gregory J. Quarles, Vida K. Castillo, Kenneth L. Schepler, David Zelmon, Shekhar Guha, Leonel P. Gonzalez, Matthew R. Rickey, Julie J. Lee, S. M. Hegde, John Q. Dumm, Gary L. Messing, Sang-Ho Lee

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5792, Laser Source and System Technology for Defense and Security; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.602879
Event: Defense and Security, 2005, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Recently there has been increasing interest in high quality ceramic laser gain materials, particularly for high-energy lasers, due to the successful application of high-volume advanced ceramics consolidation techniques to transparent oxide gain materials. In this paper, a brief comparison of manufacturing techniques is presented, including an overview of the co-precipitation process and the solid-state reaction process. Merits and risks of each will be presented from a processing viewpoint. Ceramic Nd:YAG in particular shows promise for high power laser design. The program reported here is also compiling a definitive database to compare ceramic and single crystal Nd:YAG materials. Uniform doping levels of up to 9 at% Nd³⁺ have been reported by Konoshima Chemical Co. in ceramic Nd:YAG, and studied by the US Army Research Laboratory and the US Air Force Research Laboratory. All ceramic Nd:YAG materials studied to date have exhibited similar, if not identical, spectroscopic parameters to those measured for single crystal samples. Thermal properties, laser damage thresholds and refractive indices for a range of temperatures and wavelengths are reported. Diode-pumped free running laser experiment results with highly concentrated (up to 8 at% Nd³⁺) ceramics and their comparison with our modeling results are presented. High pulse repetition frequency actively (AO) Q-switched laser experiments are in progress. While there are still challenges in the manufacturing of ceramic laser gain materials, and the benefits of the application of ceramic technology to laser material are yet to be fully realized, ceramic Nd:YAG shows promise and could provide new options to the laser design engineer.

Citation Download Citation

Mark Dubinskii, Larry D. Merkle, John R. Goff, Gregory J. Quarles, Vida K. Castillo, Kenneth L. Schepler, David Zelmon, Shekhar Guha, Leonel P. Gonzalez, Matthew R. Rickey, Julie J. Lee, S. M. Hegde, John Q. Dumm, Gary L. Messing, and Sang-Ho Lee "Processing technology, laser, optical and thermal properties of ceramic laser gain materials", Proc. SPIE 5792, Laser Source and System Technology for Defense and Security, (1 June 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.602879

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available