Abstract

A new method is reported which measures transition cross sections independent of active atom concentration and extrinsic loss using a laser-pumped cw laser oscillator. Extrapolation of the linear input-output characteristic of a cw oscillator to null pumping rate will yield the saturation power from which is determined the saturation flux and laser cross section. For Nd³⁺ in YAG and YVO₄ the measured saturation fluxes were 2.07 and 3.24 kW/cm², respectively, and the laser cross sections were 3.92 and 7.78 × 10⁻¹⁹ cm², respectively.

© 1978 Optical Society of America

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