Transparent ceramics for high-energy laser systems

Abstract We demonstrate that transparent magnesium aluminate spinel ceramic possesses excellent thermo-optical properties, a record low absorption loss of 6 ppm/cm, and superior ruggedness which position it as a prime candidate for an exit window aperture for high energy laser systems, especially in hostile environments. We also demonstrate lasing with an efficiency of about 45% in transparent Yb3+:Y2O3 ceramic made by hot pressing high purity submicron co-precipitated powder. This paves the way forward for high power solid state lasers exploiting hosts with higher thermal conductivity than YAG.

[1]  C. T. Moynihan,et al.  Chemical Durability of Fluoride Glasses , 1991 .

[2]  E. Astm.  Standard test method for thermal diffusivity of solids by the flash method , 1992 .

[3]  Ken-ichi Ueda,et al.  Scalable ceramic lasers , 2005 .

[4]  J. Sanghera,et al.  Germanate glass as a window for high energy laser systems. , 2006, Optics express.

[5]  D. Findlay,et al.  The measurement of internal losses in 4-level lasers , 1966 .

[6]  Claude A. Klein.  Figures of merit for high-energy laser-window materials: thermal lensing and thermal stresses , 2007, SPIE Laser Damage.

[7]  G. T. Johnston,et al.  Infrared thermooptic coefficient measurement of polycrystalline ZnSe, ZnS, CdTe, CaF(2), and BaF(2), single crystal KCI, and TI-20 glass. , 1977, Applied optics.

[8]  Martin M. Fejer,et al.  Photothermal common-path interferometry (PCI): new developments , 2009, LASE.

[9]  Daniel C. Harris,et al.  Materials for Infrared Windows and Domes: Properties and Performance , 1999 .

[10]  David Reicher,et al.  Use of multiple DC magnetron deposition sources for uniform coating of large areas , 2009, Optics + Photonics for Sustainable Energy.

[11]  Georges Boulon,et al.  Overview of the best Yb3+-doped laser crystals , 2001 .

[12]  Jasbinder S. Sanghera,et al.  VIS-IR transmitting windows , 2005, SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing.

[13]  K. Cooper,et al.  Nanomechanics of Hall-Petch relationship in nanocrystalline materials , 2009 .

[14]  Yan Lin Aung,et al.  Synthesis and Performance of Advanced Ceramic Lasers , 2006 .

[15]  Nathan J. Edwards,et al.  Progress toward an athermal HEL optical window , 2005, SPIE Laser Damage.

[16]  J. Sanghera,et al.  Thermo-optic coefficient of barium gallogermanate glass. , 2007, Applied optics.