Publication Date:
2016-02-02
Description:
We describe the development of a reasonable cost Co 2+ : MgAl 2 O 4 transparent ceramic plates fabrication technology that allows the producing of parts functioning as passive laser Q-switches in the 1.3–1.7 μm domain. The main relevant material characteristics were measured. The absorption band, positioned between 1.2 and 1.7 μm, is typical of the 4 A 2 ( 4 F) 4 T 1 ( 4 F) transition of Co 2+ substituting Mg 2+ ions in their T d symmetry sites. The measured ground-state absorption cross section σ gs = 2.9 × 10 −19 cm 2 , saturation contrast γ = 0.12, and depleted ground-state recovery time τ 2 = 110–430 ns render such parts suitable for the intended application. The radiative lifetime was estimated as . The spin-orbit splitting constant was estimated as ξ SL ≅−150 cm −1 for the 4 F parent ground state, and ξ SL ≅ –575 cm −1 for the 4 P parent excited state. Obtained specimens had a transmission of ~80% ( t = 2 mm, λ = 600 nm) and included some opaque, white spots. Further improvement of host optical transmission and resistance to laser damage are necessary.
Print ISSN:
0002-7820
Electronic ISSN:
1551-2916
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Permalink