Spectroscopic, thermal, and lasing features of chromium- and neodymium-doped gadolinium scandium aluminum garnet

Over the past few years, significant enhancements in lasing efficiency have been well established using chromium sensitizers in neodumium-doped garnets. In particular, Cr:Nd:GSGG has drawn much attention. One characteristic aspect of these gallium garnets is their reduced thermal conductivity. This results in increased effects of heat loading and requires special attention in high average power laser designs. By contrast, Cr:Nd:GSAG, a chromium sensitized neodymium-doped aluminum garnet, possesses an increased thermal conductivity value relative to Cr:Nd:GSGG while yet maintaining an improved pumping efficiency. The authors discuss the thermal handling capability of this material relative to Cr:Nd:GSGG and Nd:YAG and the benefits of its chromium sensitized pumping efficiency based on the presented data. Cr:Nd:GSAG appears to be a promising candidate for many high average power solid state laser applications. Their characterization study of this aluminum garnet in terms of its spectroscopic, thermal, and lasing properties is outlined