Spectroscopic properties in transparent crystals

C.A. Morrison and R.P. Leavitt, Spectroscopic properties of triply ionized lanthanides in transparent host crystals 461... 

Spectroscopic properties of triply ionized lanthanides in transparent host crystals, in Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths, Vol. 5, eds K.A. Gschneidner Jr and L. Eyring (North-Holland, Amsterdam) ch. 46, p. 461. 

The host materials that are utilized in laser systems must exhibit adequate transparency, mechanical strength, and thermal properties. In addition, the material must be able to sustain a precise optical polish, and be cast or grown adequately within reasonable economic and time constraints. The host must afford the impurity ions the type of spectroscopic properties that are appropriate for good laser performance. As a result of the numerous requirements, not many materials turn out to be useful in practical circumstances. Below, the nature of glasses and crystals is discussed, and the important physical properties are briefly outlined. 

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