New high-strength neodymium phosphate laser glass

A high-strength neodymium laser glass (SNLG) based on an alumoborophosphate composition is developed and synthesised; its physicochemical, spectral, luminescent, and lasing characteristics are studied. It is found that the chemical stability and thermal resistance of the new glass are considerably higher than the corresponding characteristics of known neodymium-doped phosphate laser glasses. Investigations of lasing upon longitudinal diode pumping showed that, due to the higher thermal resistance, the new glass allows one to obtain output powers twice as high as those of industrial GLS22 glass. (active media)