A Simple Method for Estimation of the Scattering Exponent of Nanostructured Glasses.

For most of nanostructured glasses (NGs) (phase-separated glasses and glass-ceramics), the light scattering coefficient (turbidity) is described by a power function of the inverse wavelength with an exponent which differs appreciably from the Rayleigh value 4 and is called the scattering exponent. The knowledge of the scattering exponent of a material is important from both fundamental and practical points of view. Previously, we developed three rather complex methods to determine the scattering exponent.

Passive Q-switching of an Er, Yb:glass laser with Co:Mg(Al,Ga)O-based glass-ceramics.

Transparent glass-ceramics (GCs) containing Co:Mg(Al,Ga)O nanocrystals (mean diameter of 7-9 nm) are synthesized by heat treatments at 850-950°C from magnesium aluminosilicate glass nucleated by TiO and doped with GaO and CoO. The GCs exhibit a broadband A4(F4)→T4(F4) absorption due to the Co ions, low saturation fluence (∼0.5  J/cm), fast recovery time of initial absorption (∼300  ns), and high laser damage threshold (∼20  J/cm).

Saturable absorber: transparent glass-ceramics based on a mixture of Co:β-ZnSiO and Co:ZnO nanocrystals.

We report on the development of novel saturable absorbers for erbium lasers based on transparent glass-ceramics (GCs) containing a mixture of cobalt-doped β-willemite, Co:β-ZnSiO, and zinc oxide, Co:ZnO, nanosized (10-14 nm) crystals. The structure of the parent glass and GCs is studied by x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Variations of absorption spectra with heat-treatment reveal that Co ions from the parent glass enter the crystals of ZnO and β-willemite.

Cobalt-doped transparent glass ceramic as a saturable absorber q switch for erbium:glass lasers.

A new saturable absorber Q switch for 1.54-mum Er:glass lasers is presented. The saturable absorber is a transparent glass ceramic that contains magnesium-aluminum spinel nanocrystallites doped with tetrahedrally coordinated Co(2+) ions.

Influence of reducing-oxidizing conditions on the optical properties of Co(2+)-doped magnesium aluminosilicate glass ceramics and their use as an effective saturable absorber Q switch.

Nonlinear optical properties of Co(2+)-doped magnesium aluminosilicate glass ceramics prepared under normal and reducing conditions are studied in the range of the 4A2 --> 4T1(4F) transition of tetrahedral Co2+ ions. The results of passive Q switching of a 1.54-microm Er3+:glass laser with saturable absorbers made of Co(2+)-doped glass ceramics prepared at different conditions are presented.