Abstract

Laser pumping and flashlamp pumping of apatite crystals such as trivalent neodymium-doped strontium fluorapatite (Sr.sub.5 (PO.sub.4).sub.3 F) emits efficient lasing at both 1.059 and 1.328 .mu.m. The pump sources for the SFAP material doped with Nd.sup.3+ includes pulsed Cr:LiSrAlF.sub.6 tuned to approximately 805.4 nm. Alternatively, similar results occurred using a continuous wave laser source of Ti:sapphire tuned to approximately 805.4 nm. A preferred embodiment includes a resonant cavity with a high reflectivity mirror having a reflectivity of 100% and an output coupler mirror with a reflectivity of less than 100%. An optional tuning component such as a Pockels Cell-Polarizer combination can also be included. The SFAP material doped with Nd.sup.3+ exhibits a large absorption cross section, high emission cross section, and long radiative lifetime.

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 5,734,669

Application Serial Number

08/749,832

Issue Date

3-31-1998

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Department

CREOL

Allowance Date

8-19-1997

Filing Date

11-15-1996

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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