Abstract A laser device including an optically resonant laser cavity formed by dichroic reflectors which are reflective at 920 nanometers and which suppress laser emission at 1,060 nanometers. The device contains a glass host doped with a laserable quantity of neodymium ions in a low concentration (viz. 0.1 to 3 wt percent) which results in the glass exhibiting a ratio of fluorescent intensity peaked at approximately 920 nanometers over the fluorescent intensity peaked at approximately 1,060 nanometers of at least 0.4 as measured by a Cary Model 14 spectrophotometer. The combination of cavity and host results in a laser device which is capable of emitting light energy by stimulated emission at room temperature in a waveband with an optical center at about 920 nanometers.
The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for suppressing laser emission at 1,060 nanometers are dichroic reflectors which are more reflective at 920 nanometers than at 1060 nanometers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said dichroic reflectors form an optically resonant laser cavity for light having an optical center at 920 nanometers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laser device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the neodymium ion concentration of said neodymium doped host is 0.1 -3 wt. percent of the oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The laser device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the neodymium ion concentration in said neodymium doped host is 0.5 -1.5 wt. percent of the oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
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The laser device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said neodymium doped glass host consists essentially of a silicate base glass wherein the monovalent alkali ions in said silicate glass are selected from 7 - 20 wt. percent of an oxide of the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium, and mixtures thereof and trivalent neodymium oxide within the range of approximately 0.1 -3 wt. percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The laser device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the divalent metal oxide content of said silicate glass is within the range of approximately 0-10 wt. percent and wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of cadmium, lead, barium and strontium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The laser device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said divalent metal oxide is approximately 5 wt. percent barium oxide.