Claims
- 1. 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.
- 2. The active laser medium of claim 1 wherein 0.01.ltoreq.x<1.
- 3. The active laser medium of claim 2 wherein M is lanthanum.
- 4. The active laser medium of claim 2 wherein M is cerium.
- 5. The active laser medium of claim 2 wherein M is gadolinium.
- 6. 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.
- 7. 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.
- 8. The laser according to claim 7 wherein 0.01.ltoreq.x<1.
- 9. The laser according to claim 8 wherein M is lanthanum.
- 10. The laser according to claim 8 wherein M is cerium.
- 11. The laser according to claim 8 wherein M is gadolinium.
- 12. The laser according to claim 7 wherein said active laser medium consists of K.sub.5 NdLi.sub.2 F.sub.10.
- 13. The laser according to claim 7 wherein said optical pumping means comprises at least one light emitting diode.
- 14. The laser according to claim 7 wherein said optical pumping means comprises at least one laser diode.
- 15. The laser according to claim 7 wherein said first totally reflective mirror and said second partially transmissive mirror comprise reflective coatings on opposite surfaces of said active laser medium.
Government Interests
The invention herein described was made in the course of or under a contract or subcontract thereunder with the Department of the Army.
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
"Miniature Neodymium Lasers as Optical Transmitters: Requirements Relating to Material Selection, Laser Properties and LED Pumping", by Krhler et al., Springer-Verlag 1978, pp. 291-297. |
"Nd Min. Lasers Based on Stoichiometric Rare Earth Compounds", Lempicki et al. |