title: Laser activity at 1.18, 1.07, and 0.97 microm in the low-phonon-energy hosts KPb2Br5 and RbPb2Br5 doped with Nd3+.
abstract: For the first time to the authors' knowledge, laser activity has been achieved in low-phonon-energy, moisture-resistant bromide host crystals, neodymium-doped potassium lead bromide (Nd3+:KPb2Br5) and rubidium lead bromide (Nd3+:RbPb2Br5; RPB). Laser activity at 1.07 microm was observed for both crystalline materials. Laser operation at the new wavelengths 1.18 and 0.97 microm that resulted from the 4F5/2 + 2H9/2 - 4IJ transitions (J=13/2 and J=11/2) in Nd:RPB was achieved in a solid-state laser material. Rare-earth-doped MPb2Br5 (M=K, Rb) is a promising candidate for long-wavelength infrared applications because of its low phonon frequencies and other favorable features. In principle, Nd3+:MPb2Br5 has high potential for laser operation at new wavelengths as well as for the achievement of short-wavelength lasing as a result of upconversion.
authors.affiliation: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, California 94550, USA. katja.rademaker@web.de
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rademaker
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heumann
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: William F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Krupke
authors.forename: Ludmila I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Isaenko
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burger