LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Ruby lasers Ruby [Al2O3:Cr 3+(~0,05%)] is an aluminum oxide crystal in which some of the aluminum atoms have been replaced with chromium atoms. Chromium gives ruby its characteristic red color and is responsible for the lasing behavior of the crystal. Chromium atoms absorb green and blue light and emit or reflect only red light. For a ruby laser, a crystal of ruby is formed into a cylinder. A fully reflecting mirror is placed on one end and a partially reflecting mirror on the other. A high-intensity lamp is spiraled around the ruby cylinder to provide a flash of white light that triggers the laser action.
Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Cr:Al2O3 energy level diagram levels

4T 1

Fast decay
2A

Blue-green light from a flash lamp

E
Laser transition

694nm
4A 2
Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Typical system

Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

Ruby laser
First laser: Ted Maiman Hughes Research Labs 1960

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Typical laser beam

Laser beam

Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Nd:YAG laser
Relevant energy levels of Nd

Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Typical Nd:YAG laser

Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Elliptical cavity

Helical flash lamp

Double elliptical cavities with two flash lamps

Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Nd 3+ :YAG (single crystal, nano-powders in the form of disks are being developed)

1064 nm : emission wavelength CW ~100W Pulsed~100J(ms) Q-switched ~100 GW(10-20ns) Glass as host, pulsed oscillator-amplifier chains for fusion Frequency doubling: 532nm (green); 1st harmonic 2nd harmonic, 3rd harmonic

Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Crystals used in lasers

1. Active Material: Al2O3,YAG, BeAl2O4, YVO4 2. Beam Modification (Q-switching): Al2O3 3. Frequency mixing : LiNbO3, KDP,ADP,KTP CsLiB6O10 (CLBO), .. 4. Components (windows, lenses etc): ZnSe, CdTe, NaCl, Al2O3, . Organic materials are catching up Doped crystals/pure crystals
Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Crystal growth techniques 1. Solution Growth 2. Growth from the melt 3. Growth from vapour The fundamentals are relatively simple but the interactions involved and the individuality of the different materials are so complex that theoretical predictions have met with very limited success. To-date CRYSTAL GROWTH REMAINS AN ART.
Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Crystals grown from solution

Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only

LPU/PHY 803/Laser Technology

Autumn Term 2010-11

Typical melt growth

Melt Initial growth

Final crystal
Lecture on ruby and Nd:YAG lasers for internal use in LPU only