Laser Properties Of An Improved Average-Power Nd-Doped Phosphate Glass

The Nd-doped phosphate laser glas described herein can withstand 2.3 times greater thermal loading without fracture, compared to APG-1 (commercially-avilable average-powder glass from Schott). The enhanced thermal loading capability is established on the basis of the intrinsic thermomechanical properties (expansion, conduction, fracture toughenss, and Young's modulus), and by direct thermally-induced fracture experiments using Ar-ion laser heating of the samples. This Nd-doped phosphate glass is found to be characterized by a 20% lower gain cross section and a 25% longer low-concentration emission lifetime.