Abstract

Self-multiplication (SM) and self-frequencymixing (SFM) of the laser radiation in non-linear crystals doped with laser active ions can be an important solution for construction of integrated devices that make use of the emission properties of the active ions and of the non-linear properties of the host crystal in order to generate efficiently coherent radiation at a wavelength different from the fundamental emission of the active centers. The crystal growth, structural, optical and spectroscopic as well as the SM and SFM properties of a new crystal, Ca₄GdO(BO₃)₃—GdCOB are discussed in Refs. [1-5]. Efficient SM and SFM processes in these crystals assume a very efficient laser emission at the fundamental wavelength of the active ion, characterized by a low threshold and high slope efficiency. Moreover, owing to the temperature dependence of the refraction indexes of these crystals, a drastic reduction of the heat generated under pump would be necessary in order to obtain stable emission. This paper discusses some possibilities to enhance the fundamental and self-doubled laser characteristics in Nd-doped GdCOB.

© 2002 Optical Society of America