Ruby

An interferometric method was first used by Porter and Topp [1, 92] to perfonn a time-resolved absorption experiment with a -switched ruby laser in the 1960s. The nonlinear crystal in the autocorrelation apparatus shown in figure B2.T2 is replaced by an absorbing sample, and then tlie transmission of the variably delayed pulse of light is measured as a fiinction of the delay This approach is known today as a pump-probe experiment the first pulse to arrive at the sample transfers (pumps) molecules to an excited energy level and the delayed pulse probes the population (and, possibly, the coherence) so prepared as a fiinction of time. 

Schawlow A L and Townes C H 1958 Infrared and optical lasers Phys. Rev. 112 1940 Maiman T H 1960 Stimulated optical radiation in ruby Nature 187 493 Milonni P W and Eberly J H 1988 Taser (New York Wiley)... 

Aluminium oxide occurs naturally as emery (an impure form) and as corundum. Corundum is a crystalline form which may be coloured by traces of impurity, for example as ruby (red) and sapphire (blue). Small synthetic rubies and sapphires have been made by heating alumina with the colouring oxide in an oxy-hydrogen flame. 

Make a concentrated solution of anthracene in hot acetone. To about 2 ml. of this solution add a cold concentrated acetone solution of picric acid drop by drop, and note the formation of a red coloration which becomes deeper on further addition of the acid. If excess of picric acid is added, however, the solution becomes paler in colour, and this is to be avoided if possible. Boil to ensure that both components are in solution and then transfer to a small porcelain basin or watch-glass ruby-red crystals of anthracene picrate separate out on cooling. The product, however, is often contaminated with an excess of either anthracene or of picric acid, which appear as yellowish crystals. 

The compounds of greatest importance are aluminum oxide, the sulfate, and the soluble sulfate with potassium (alum). The oxide, alumina, occurs naturally as ruby, sapphire, corundum, and emery, and is used in glassmaking and refractories. Synthetic ruby and sapphire are used in lasers for producing coherent light. 

It is produced artificially for use as a gemstone, but it is relatively soft. Star sapphires and rubies exhibit their asterism as a result of the presence of Ti02. 

Selenium is used in Xerography for reproducing and copying documents, letters, etc. It is used by the glass industry to decolorize glass and to make ruby-colored glasses and enamels. It is also used as a photographic toner, and as an additive to stainless steel. 

Bulka et al. (43) have demonstrated the electrophilic reactivity of selenazoles possessing an hydrazonc in the 2-position and nonsubstituted in the 5-position toward diazonium salt to give 5-phenylazo derivatives preferentially. For example, the main product of the coupling of 2-benzylidene hydrazino-4-phenylselenazole with diazo-o-phenetidine is the 5-(o-ethoxyphenylazo)-selenazole (Scheme 371 ruby red prisms, m.p. 206°C. yield 67"o). A formazan is obtained as by-product. (See Section III.6) (43). 

Ruby Laser. Ruby (essentially alumina) owes its well-known color to the presence of very small proportions of chromium ions (Cr +) distributed through it. Ruby lasers do not use natural rubies because of the imperfections they contain. Instead, synthetic single crystals of chromium... 

Neodymium and YAG Lasers. The principle of neodymium and YAG lasers is very similar to that of the ruby laser. Neodymium ions (Nd +) are used in place of Cr + and are often distributed in glass rather than in alumina. The light from the neodymium laser has a wavelength of 1060 nm (1.06 xm) it emits in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Yttrium (Y) ions in alumina (A) compose a form of the naturally occurring garnet (G), hence the name, YAG laser. Like the ruby laser, the Nd and YAG lasers operate from three- and four-level excited-state processes. 

Figure 9.6 (a) Low-lying energy levels of in ruby, (b) Design for a ruby laser... 

The efficiency of a ruby laser is less than 0.1 per cent, typically low for a three-level laser. 

Alexandrite, like ruby, contains Cr ions but they are substituted in the lattice of chrysoberyl, BeAl204. The chromium ions occupy two symmetrically non-equivalent positions which would otherwise be occupied by aluminium ions. In this environment the 2 ground state of Cr is broadened, compared with that in ruby, by coupling to vibrations of the crystal lattice. 

Pumping is with a flashlamp, as in the case of the ruby laser, and a pulse energy of the order 1 J may be achieved. Frequency doubling (second harmonic generation) can provide tunable radiation in the 360-400 nm region. 

Despite the fact that the first laser to be produced (the ruby laser. Section 9.2.1) has the remarkable property of having all its power concentrated into one or two wavelengths, a property possessed by most lasers, it was soon realized that the inability to change these wavelengths appreciably, that is to tune the laser, is a serious drawback which limits the range of possible applications. 

Laser action involves mainly the 3/2 hi/i transition at about 1.06 pm. Since is not the ground state, the laser operates on a four-level system (see Figure 9.2c) and consequently is much more efficient than the ruby laser. 

AI2O3 (aluminium oxide) in ruby laser, 346 in titanium-sapphire laser, 348 3142 (cyclic) interstellar, 120 3142 (linear) interstellar, 120... 

CH3I (methyl iodide) principal axes, 103 If rotation, 113 CH2NH (methanimine) interstellar, 120 Cr203 (chromium trioxide) in alexandrite laser, 347ff in ruby laser, 346ff HC3N (cyanoacetylene) interstellar, 120 HCOOH (formic acid) interstellar, 120 NH2CN (cyanamide) interstellar, 120... 

Geneva Conference Geneva ruby Gemstein [446-72-0] Genital tract infections Genital warts... 

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