RESUMEN
Optical clocks based on strontium (Sr) atoms and ions are currently used to provide precise standards for measuring time. These devices require several narrow-band visible laser sources at specific wavelengths to operate. We report on the diode-pumped continuous-wave laser operation at 674, 688, 689, 698, and 707 nm of a single crystal of Pr3+:LiGdF4 (Pr:GLF). To the best of our knowledge, Pr:GLF is the only active medium suitable for solid-state laser operation at all the wavelengths of interest for Sr-based clocks in the deep-red region. We also investigated the spectral tunability of this source, achieving an uninterrupted tuning range of 17 nm, between 697 and 714 nm.
RESUMEN
We report on the growth, spectroscopy, and laser operation of monocrystalline Tm3+:SrF2. Spectroscopic investigations confirmed the presence of broad absorption and emission bands caused by inequivalent doped sites, introduced by charge compensation effects which also caused the clusterization of doping ions in the lattice. We obtained continuous-wave laser emission at about 2 µm, with efficiencies comparable with other Tm-doped crystals. We also achieved an uninterrupted tuning range of 180 nm between 1.8 and 2 µm. This characterization indicates that SrF2 enhances the cooperative mechanisms between Tm ions, helping to obtain remarkable laser performances at low doping concentrations.
RESUMEN
We report on, to the best of our knowledge, the first growth, spectroscopy, and laser operation of monocrystalline Ba(Y0.8Lu0.2)2F8 doped with 1.25 at.% of Pr3+ ions (Pr:BYLF). We studied the spectroscopic properties of this material, particularly in comparison with its isomorph Pr3+: BaY2F8 (Pr:BYF). Under diode-pumped excitation, we achieved continuous-wave laser operation in the orange, red, and deep red regions in the three possible crystal orientations. We obtained considerably improved laser performances and remarkably low passive losses, in comparison with Pr:BYF crystals and other fluorides, indicating that Pr:BYLF is an excellent host material in the visible region.
RESUMEN
We report the first observation of continuous-wave laser emission at 720 nm, in the deep red region, of a Pr3+:KY3F10 (Pr:KYF) single crystal, pumped with a blue InGaN-based laser diode at 446 nm. We employed a hemispherical cavity with three different output coupling mirrors transmitting 0.7%, 1.4%, and 2.7% of laser radiation. We obtained a maximum output power of 207 mW with a slope efficiency of 24.3%, comparable for the first time to what has been reported for other praseodymium-doped fluoride crystals. The round-trip cavity losses for our sample were estimated to be between 0.3% and 0.6%, a remarkably small value for this material.
RESUMEN
We investigated the effect of rare earth impurities on the cooling efficiency of Yb³âº:LiYF4 (Yb:YLF). The refrigeration performance of two single crystals, doped with 5%-at. Yb and with identical history but with different amount of contaminations, have been compared by measuring the cooling efficiency curves. Spectroscopic and elemental analyses of the samples have been carried out to identify the contaminants, to quantify their concentrations and to understand their effect on the cooling efficiencies. A model of energy transfer processes between Yb and other rare earth ions is suggested, identifying Erbium and Holmium as elements that produce a detrimental effect on the cooling performance.
Asunto(s)
Fluoruros/química , Compuestos de Litio/química , Fenómenos Ópticos , Refrigeración , Iterbio/química , Itrio/química , Cristalización , Transferencia de Energía , Iones , Modelos Teóricos , Espectrometría de Fluorescencia , Espectroscopía Infrarroja CortaRESUMEN
We investigated the polarization of continuous-wave laser emission in the orange region, at 607 nm, and in the red region, at 639 nm and 643 nm, from a Pr:BaY2F8 (Pr:BYF) crystal, pumped by a 445 nm laser diode. We achieved linearly polarized emission along two optic axes of the crystal by changing its orientation with respect to the pump. Simultaneous emission of two orthogonal linear polarizations was observed in the orange region, at the same wavelength, and in the red region, with concurrent emission from the two separate lines.