Abstract

The laser performance of emerald [Be₃-Al₂(SiO₃)₆:Cr³⁺] is determined by the optical loss of the material and the intrinsic laser parameters including the emission cross section σ_e, the ground state absorption cross section σ_a, and the excited state absorption cross section σ_2a. The optical scattering loss in the presently available emerald is high.¹ Improvement of optical quality through crystal growth is now in progress. The intrinsic laser parameters are presented.

© 1984 Optical Society of America