Chromium-doped beryllium aluminate lasers

Abstract

Single crystals of chromium-doped beryllium aluminate find advantageous use in optical applications and, in particular, in lasers capable of operating at room temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a laser capable of operating at room temperature comprising: a. a laser host comprising at least one single crystal incorporating a dopant; and   b. means for exciting atoms of the dopant to emit coherent radiation, the improvement which comprises utilizing as the laser host, a single crystal of beryllium aluminate (BeAl 2  O 4 ) doped with trivalent chromium ions, the single crystal being crystallographically oriented substantially along the a-c plane, at least 30° removed from the b-axis, and having a chromium doping concentration ranging from about 0.005 to 1.0 atom percent.   
     
     
       2. The laser of claim 1 in which the single crystal of chromium-doped beryllium aluminate is crystallographically oriented substantially in the a-c plane. 
     
     
       3. The laser of claim 1 in which the concentration of chromium doping ranges from about 0.01 to 0.10 atom percent. 
     
     
       4. A laser according to claim 1, further comprising an optical resonant cavity for supporting coherent radiation emitted by the laser host.