The ruby and alexandrite lasers

The and 72 states are broadened as a result of slight variations in the crystal field. The 72 and E states are sharper but the E state is split into two components, 29 cm apart, because of the slight distortion of the octahedral field. Population inversion and 

The laser normally operates in the pulsed mode because of the necessity of the dissipation of a large amount of heat between pulses. 

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. 

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