COBALT-DOPED SATURABLE ABSORBER Q-SWITCHES AND LASER SYSTEMS

摘要

A saturable absorber Q-switch includes a monocrystalline lattice having the formula Mg1-xCoxAlyOz where x is greater tha 0 and less than 1, y is greater than 2 and less than about 8, and z is between about 4 and 13. The lattice has tetrahedral and octehedral positions, and most of the magnesium and cobalt occupy tetrahedral positions. In one embodiment, the molar ratio of aluminium to the combined amount of magnesium and cobalt in the monocrystalline lattice can be controlled during growth of the monocrystalline lattice to thereby form a saturable absorber Q-switch that exhibits a <4>T1 spectrum for the cobalt ion of at least about 1544 µm. In another embodiment, a laser system, such as an Er:glass laser system, includes a saturable absorber-Q-switch that includes a monocrystalline lattice wherein the molar ratio of aluminium to the combined amounts of magnesium and cobalt exceeds 2:1, and preferably is about 6:1, and wherein essentially all of the magnesium and cobalt components of the monocrystalline occupy tetrahedral positions of the lattice.