Physics of Solid-State Laser Materials

This graduate-level text presents the fundamental physics of solid-state lasers, including the basis of laser action and the optical and electronic properties of laser materials. Some knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid-state physics is assumed, but the discussion is as self-contained as possible, making the book an excellent reference as well as useful for independent study. After an overview of the topic, the book is divided into two parts. The first begins with a review of the quantum mechanics and solid-state physics, spectroscopy, and crystal field theory; it then treats the quantum theory of radiation, the emission and absorption of radiation, and nonlinear optics; it concludes with discussions of lattice vibrations and ion-ion interactions and of their effects on optical properties and laser action. The second part treats specific solid-state laser materials, the protypical ruby and Nd-YAG systems being treated in greatest detail; it concludes with a discussion of novel and non-standard materials.

1. Introduction.- 1.1 Solid-State Laser Operation and Design Parameters.- 1.2 Material Requirements for Laser Hosts and Active Ions.- 1.3 Material Preparation and Optical Quality.- 2. Electronic Energy Levels.- 2.1 Free-Ion Energy Levels.- 2.2 Elements of Group Theory.- 2.3 Crystal-Field Splitting of Energy Levels.- 3. Radiative Transitions.- 3.1 The Photon Field.- 3.2 Selection Rules.- 3.3 Properties of Spectral Lines.- 3.4 Nonlinear Optical Properties.- 4. Electron-Phonon Interactions.- 4.1 The Phonon Field.- 4.2 Weak Coupling: Radiationless Transitions.- 4.3 Weak Coupling: Vibronic Transitions.- 4.4 Weak Coupling: Spectral Linewidth and Line Position.- 4.5 Example: Spectral Properties of SrTiO3: Cr3+.- 4.6 Strong Coupling.- 4.7 Jahn—Teller Effect.- 5. Ion-Ion Interaction.- 5.1 Exchange-Coupled Ion Pairs.- 5.2 Nonradiative Energy Transfer: Single-Step Process.- 5.3 Phonon-Assisted Energy Transfer.- 5.4 Nonradiative Energy Transfer: Multistep Process.- 5.5 Connection with Experiment: Rate Equation Analysis.- 6. Al2O3: Cr3+ Laser Crystals.- 6.1 Energy Levels of Cr3+.- 6.2 Crystal-Field Splitting.- 6.3 Spin-Orbit Splitting and Selection Rules.- 6.4 Strong-Field Laser Materials.- 7. Transition-Metal-Ion Laser Materials.- 7.1 Broad-Band Cr3+ Laser Materials: Alexandrite.- 7.2 Spectral Properties of Cr3+ in Different Hosts and Their Laser Characteristics.- 7.3 Transition-Metal Ions and Host Crystals.- 7.4 Laser Materials Based on Ti3+ Ions.- 7.5 Laser Materials Based on Ions with 3d2 Configurations.- 7.6 Laser Materials Based on Ions with 3d3 Through 3d8Configurations.- 8. Y3A15012: Nd3+ Laser Crystals.- 8.1 Energy Levels of Nd3+.- 8.2 Crystal-Field Splitting.- 8.3 Radiative Transitions: Judd-Ofelt Theory.- 8.4 Example: Y3A15O12:Nd3+.- 9. Rare-Earth-Ion Laser Materials.-9.1 Nd3+ Lasers.- 9.2 Other Trivalent Lanthanide Lasers.- 10. Miscellaneous Laser Materials.- 10.1 Other Rare-Earth-Ion Lasers.- 10.2 Nonlinear Optical Lasers.- 10.3 Color-Center Lasers.- 10.4 Other Solid-State Lasers.