Natural Ruby Crystal for Solid State Laser?
Aside from the problem of finding a large enough chunk of natural ruby at a price affordable by a small country, the optical quality and doping level are not likely to be acceptable. Despite the inflated prices for gemstones, their uniformity and freedom from impurities may be quite poor. The doping level of natural ruby is also likely to be much higher than desirable for a laser crystal. This would result in a much higher threshold, if it can be made to lase at all. See the section: From the CORD course on laser technology: “Synthetic rubies, made for jewelry, are usually doped with 0.5% chromium oxide (by weight), producing a very deep red material. The chromium doping in red ruby is much too high for laser crystals. Experience has shown that optimum laser operation occurs with “pink” ruby where the doping is 0.03% to 0.05% chromium oxide, depending upon the manner in which the ruby is to be pumped and the type of operation desired.” So, your spouse can rest easy that her rock won’t
• SSL: Choice of Lamp Pumped or Diode Pumped Solid State Laser • SSL: Thermal Lensing in SS Lasers • SSL: CO2 Gas Input to SS Laser • SSL: Thin Disk High Power Solid State Lasers • SSL: Solid State Fiber Lasers • SSL: Inheriting a Ti:Sapphire or Similar Laser • SSL: Early Ruby Laser Rangefinder • SSL: Micro Laser Rangefinder Using Disposable Flash Pumped Nd:YAG and OPO
