SEDL / STP / STP954-EB / STP23104S

Pulsed Laser Induced Optical Damage Threshold In Nd:Cr:GSGG Crystal

Acharekar, MA
Litton Systems, Inc., International Laser Systems Division, Orlando, FL

McCarthy, DP
Litton Systems, Inc., International Laser Systems Division, Orlando, FL

Blachman, R
Material Progress Corporation, Santa Rosa, CA

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1986

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Abstract

Gadolinium scandium gallium garnet (GSGG) doubled doped with neodymium (Nd) and chromium (Cr) shows higher efficiency than the commonly used neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. The performance characteristics of 6.3 mm diameter by 100 mm long and 5 mm diameter by 65 mm long Nd:Cr:GSGG rods were obtained. A flashlamp pumped Nd:Cr:GSGG laser was operated in both normal and Q-switch modes. The performance data for the material will be presented and compared with Nd:YAG laser rod.

Q-switch output pulses of Nd:Cr:GSGG laser with 17 ns pulse width and 1.061 μm wavelength were used to study surface and bulk damage in coated and uncoated, polished samples of Nd:Cr:GSGG crystal. These optical damage threshold measurements were compared by measuring damage threshold of fused silica and BK-7 glass samples using the same experimental set up. Nd:Cr:GSGG damage threshold was higher than BK-7 glass and slightly lower than fused silica.