Stoichiometric rare earth laser material and laser based thereon
AssigneeGTE Laboratories Incorporated
InventorsBill C. McCollum, Alexander Lempicki
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Abstract
A high gain stoichiometric neodymium laser medium of the general formula K.sub.5 Nd.sub.x M.sub.(1-x) Li.sub.2 F.sub.10 where x takes on a non-zero positive value less than or equal to one, and M is a metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, and gadolinium. Minilasers employing a laser medium of the general formula K.sub.5 Nd.sub.x M.sub.(1-x) Li.sub.2 F.sub.10 are provided in which the optical pumping is provided by at least one light emitting diode or laser diode.
Claims15
An active laser medium comprising a stoichiometric single crystal compound of the general formula:
- K.sub.5 Nd.sub.x M.sub.(1-x) Li.sub.2 F.sub.10 (0<x.ltoreq.1)
- where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, and gadolinium.
An active laser medium consisting of a stoichiometric single crystal compound of the formula K.sub.5 NdLi.sub.2 F.sub.10 characterized by a temperature dependent luminescence lifetime having a value of about 300 microseconds at room temperature.
A laser comprising in combination:
- an optical resonance cavity defined by a first totally reflective mirror and a second partially transmissive mirror,
- an active laser medium within said cavity, said medium comprising a stoichiometric single crystal compound of the general formula
- K.sub.5 Nd.sub.x M.sub.(1-x) Li.sub.2 F.sub.10 (0<x.ltoreq.1)
- wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, and gadolinium, and
- an optical pumping means disposed adjacent to said optical cavity for exciting said laser medium to emit stimulated radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.