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Title: Use of a LiF colour centre laser for pumping an Yb:YAG active medium

Journal Article · · Quantum Electronics (Woodbury, N.Y.)
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Laser Materials and Technology Research Center, A. M. Prokhorov General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow (Russian Federation)
  2. P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow (Russian Federation)

An Yb:YAG laser crystal containing 20% of Yb was pumped by a F{sub 2}{sup +}:LiF colour centre laser emitting in the spectral range from 0.89 to 0.95 {mu}m. We managed to pump 10% of a total amount of Yb ions to the {sup 2}F{sub 5/2} metastable level of ytterbium in small volumes of the optically dense Yb:YAG laser crystal, which corresponds to the energy density stored in the crystal equal to 30 J cm{sup -3}. Nanosecond pulses were generated at transitions between the Stark components of the {sup 2}F{sub 5/2} and {sup 2}F{sub 7/2} levels of Yb{sup 3+} ions at the wavelengths near 1.03 and 1.05 {mu}m. The possibility of using Yb:YAG crystals and ceramics in high-power laser drivers in laser fusion experiments is discussed. (lasers)

OSTI ID:
21470652
Journal Information:
Quantum Electronics (Woodbury, N.Y.), Vol. 34, Issue 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1070/QE2004v034n12ABEH002751; ISSN 1063-7818
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English