Improved solid state laser sources, volume 3

Investigations have been performed in several areas of solid state laser development. Research in slab-lasers has resulted in a theory of thermal effects and optical propagation which has allowed scaling to larger slabs and extention of the slab concept to crystalline laser hosts. Study of nonlinear optical materials has been extended to include AgGaSe2 and Nd:MgO:LiNbO3. AgGaSe2 is useful for nonlinear frequency conversion in the infrared out to 17 microns. Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 allows a single crystal to be used simultaneously as both active laser material and nonlinear optical or modulator material. A single crystal fiber growth station is developed which has potential application in material surveys by the rapid growth of small samples of crystalline laser materials for spectroscopic evaluation. These research activities combined with other current research programs form a coordinated effort which has resulted in several significant advances in laser development and nonlinear optics.