| Tunable ultraviolet laser emission has been shown in numerous single crystal hosts, one of which is the cerium and sodium co-doped LiSrxCa 1−xAlF6 family of crystals. Good optical quality laser crystals of Ce,Na:LiSrAlF6 have been produced with adequate laser performance. However, these crystals have a tendency to solarize and exhibit ESA. Ce,Na:LiCaAlF6 crystals have been produced with good laser performance, but poor optical quality. The ideal laser host would be optimized in both aspects.; During the course of this work, crystals were grown of various intermediate compositions of Ce,Na:LiSrxCa1−xAlF6. The materials produced were characterized using a variety of methods, including DTA, GDMS, and EMPA. Samples were fabricated to characterize the absorption and emission properties for each crystal composition. Finally, laser threshold and efficiency were characterized for the various samples. The Findlay-Clay analysis was performed to determine intrinsic cavity losses.; In the case of the selected crystal system, the crystal growth characteristics of the various crystals were very similar. Absorption and emission values for the high strontium compositions were generally greater than those for the high calcium compositions. Lasing was achieved in all of the samples using various output coupling mirrors. Through an analysis and comparison of these critical aspects, an intermediate composition close to Sr/Ca = 35/65 was identified as a potentially optimized host for incorporation into a salable, tunable, solid-state UV laser system. |
