Abstract: In one inventive concept, a method for etching an optic includes obtaining a microemulsion, where the microemulsion includes a continuous oil phase, a surfactant system comprising at least one surfactant, and water, submerging at least a portion of the optic in the microemulsion, and agitating by ultrasonication the microemulsion for etching the optic submerged therein.

Abstract: In one inventive concept, a method for etching an optic includes obtaining a microemulsion, where the microemulsion includes a continuous oil phase, a surfactant system comprising at least one surfactant, and water, submerging at least a portion of the optic in the microemulsion, and agitating by ultrasonication the microemulsion for etching the optic submerged therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of crystallizing Yb:C-FAP [Yb3+:Ca5(PO4)3F], by dissolving the Yb:C-FAP in an acidic solution, following by neutralizing the solution. The present invention also provides a method of forming crystalline Yb:C-FAP by dissolving the component ingredients in an acidic solution, followed by forming a supersaturated solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of crystallizing Yb:C-FAP [Yb3+:Ca5(PO4)3F], by dissolving the Yb:C-FAP in an acidic solution, following by neutralizing the solution. The present invention also provides a method of forming crystalline Yb:C-FAP by dissolving the component ingredients in an acidic solution, followed by forming a supersaturated solution.

Abstract: A material for harmonic generation has been made by substitutional changes to the crystal LaCa4 (BO3)3 also known as LaCOB in the form Re1xRe2yRe3zCa4(B03)3O where Re1 and Re2, (rare earth ion 1 and rare earth ion 2) are selected from the group consisting of Sc, Yttrium, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; Re3 is Lanthanum; and x+y+z=1.

Abstract: A material for harmonic generation has been made by substitutional changes to the crystal LaCa4(BO3)3 also known as LaCOB in the form Re1xRe2yRe3zCa4(B03)3O where Re1 and Re2, (rare earth ion 1 and rare earth ion 2) are selected from the group consisting of Sc, Yttrium, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; Re3 is Lanthanum; and x+y+z=1.

Abstract: A material for harmonic generation has been made by substitutional changes to the crystal LaCa4 (BO3)3 also known as LaCOB in the form Re1xRe2yRe3zCa4(BO3)3O where Re1 and Re2, (rare earth ion 1 and rare earth ion 2) are selected from the group consisting of Sc, Yttrium, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; Re3 is Lanthanum; and x+y+z=1.

Abstract: A material for harmonic generation has been made by substitutional changes to the crystal LaCa4 (BO3)3 also known as LaCOB in the form Re1xRe2yRe3zCa4(B03)3O where Re1 and Re2, (rare earth ion 1 and rare earth ion 2) are selected from the group consisting of Sc, Yttrium, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; Re3 is Lanthanum; and x+y+z=1.

Abstract: The invention comprises a RE-doped MA.sub.2 X.sub.4 crystalline gain medium, where M includes a divalent ion such as Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb, Eu, or Yb; A is selected from trivalent ions including Al, Ga, and In; X is one of the chalcogenide ions S, Se, and Te; and RE represents the trivalent rare earth ions. The MA.sub.2 X.sub.4 gain medium can be employed in a laser oscillator or a laser amplifier. Possible pump sources include diode lasers, as well as other laser pump sources. The laser wavelengths generated are greater than 3 microns, as becomes possible because of the low phonon frequency of this host medium. The invention may be used to seed optical devices such as optical parametric oscillators and other lasers.

Abstract: Dysprosium-doped metal chloride materials offer laser properties advantageous for use as optical amplifiers in the 1.3 .mu.m telecommunications fiber optic network. The upper laser level is characterized by a millisecond lifetime, the host material possesses a moderately low refractive index, and the gain peak occurs near 1.31 .mu.m. Related halide materials, including bromides and iodides, are also useful. The Dy.sup.3+ -doped metal chlorides can be pumped with laser diodes and yield 1.3 .mu.m signal gain levels significantly beyond those currently available.

Abstract: A new class of solid state laser crystals and lasers are formed from Yb-doped borate fluoride host crystals. The general formula for the host crystals is MM'(BO.sub.3)F, where M, M' are monovalent, divalent aria trivalent metal cations. A particular embodiment of the invention is Yb-doped BaCaBO.sub.3 F (Yb:BCBF). BCBF and some of the related derivative crystals are capable of nonlinear frequency conversion, whereby the fundamental of the laser is converted to a longer or shorter wavelength. In this way, these new crystals can simultaneously serve as self-frequency doubling crystals and laser materials within the laser resonator.