Preface ....................................................... ix
Acknowledgement .............................................. xii
1 Introduction ................................................ 1
1.1 Research background .................................... 1
1.2 Technical problems of melt-growth single crystals ...... 2
1.3 Technical problems of ceramics ......................... 7
1.4 Purpose of this research .............................. 11
1.5 Outline of the book ................................... 12
References ................................................. 16
2 Solid-state laser processes and active materials ........... 18
2.1 Interaction of quantum systems with electromagnetic
radiation (radiation absorption and emission
processes in quantum systems) ......................... 18
2.2 Solid-state lasers .................................... 25
2.3 The flow of excitation inside the laser material ...... 63
2.4 Laser emission processes .............................. 67
2.5 The spatial distribution of the de-excitation
processes ............................................. 82
2.6 Thermal field inside the pumped laser material and
thermal effects ....................................... 85
2.7 Performance scaling of solid-state lasers ............. 91
2.8 The laser material .................................... 93
References ................................................ 115
3 Experimental technique: powder characteristics and the
synthesis of optical grade ceramics, effects of
sintering aids ............................................ 121
3.1 Introduction ......................................... 121
3.2 Microstructure and optical characteristics of
Nd:YAG processed by HIP (hot isostatic pressing) ..... 142
References ................................................ 158
4 Synthesis of poly crystalline ceramic lasers (RE-doped
sesquioxides) ............................................. 160
4.1 Current status of single crystal technology .......... 160
4.2 Requirements for sesquioxide ceramic lasers .......... 162
4.3 Synthesis of optical grade sesquioxide ceramics ...... 169
4.4 Optical quality and laser performance ................ 176
References ................................................ 185
5 Synthesis of RE (Nd) heavily doped YAG ceramics ........... 187
5.1 Production of heavily doped Nd: YAG and lasing
characteristics ...................................... 188
5.2 Effect of impurity (Si) on Nd solid-melt in YAG
ceramics ............................................. 204
References ................................................ 218
6 Optical scattering centers in polycrystalline ceramics .... 219
6.1 Introduction ......................................... 219
6.2 Experimental procedure ............................... 220
6.3 Results .............................................. 223
6.4 Discussion ........................................... 234
6.5 Summary .............................................. 239
References ................................................ 240
7 Advanced technologies in ceramics (composite, fiber,
single crystal by sintering method, etc.) ................. 241
7.1 Composite technology ................................. 243
7.2 Ceramic fiber laser .................................. 252
7.3 Single crystal ceramics produced by sintering ........ 255
7.4 Summary .............................................. 265
References ................................................ 265
8 Current R&D status of ceramic lasers worldwide ............ 267
8.1 Garnet system materials .............................. 268
8.2 Perovskite system materials .......................... 273
8.3 Non-oxide system (II-VI compound) materials .......... 275
8.4 Fluoride system materials ............................ 277
8.5 Applications in the fields of biotechnology and
medical technology ................................... 279
8.6 High intensity lasers for engine ignition ............ 282
8.7 Investigation of solid-state lasers as solar pump
lasers ............................................... 285
References ................................................ 288
9 The future of ceramic technology .......................... 290
References ................................................ 298
10 High resolution optical spectroscopy and emission decay
of laser ceramics ......................................... 300
10.1 Structural characterization of doped ceramics by
optical spectroscopy ................................. 301
10.2 The quantum states of the doping ions ................ 321
10.3 Radiative and non-radiative de-excitation
processes ............................................ 345
10.4 Distribution of the doping ions in ceramics .......... 358
10.5 Conversion of excitation in doped ceramics ........... 360
10.6 Conclusions from high resolution optical
spectroscopy of laser ceramics ....................... 370
References ................................................ 372
11 Ceramic lasers ............................................ 386
11.1 Pumping schemes ...................................... 386
11.2 Radiative and non-radiative processes in ceramics .... 392
11.3 Ceramic laser materials and components ............... 401
11.4 Ceramic lasers ....................................... 403
11.5 Concluding remarks: the state of the art and
directions of development of ceramic lasers .......... 424
References ................................................ 427
Index ........................................................ 442
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