Abstract: A light-emitting device is provided which includes a gain medium having an optically-active phosphosilicate glass, wherein the phosphosilicate glass includes at least one active ion dopant and from about 1 to 30 mol % of phosphorus oxide. The phosphorous oxide may be present in an effective amount for reducing any photodarkening effect and increasing the saturation energy of the system. The active ion dopant may be a rare earth dopant. The light-emitting device may include an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide including the gain medium.

Abstract: A germanate glass composition suitable for use in a fiber amplifier for broadband amplification of optical signals is provided. The glass preferably includes 35-75% GeO2, 0-45% PbO, 5-20% BaO, 5-20% ZnO, and 2-10% R2O (R=Na, Li, K). It is doped with thulium ions (Tm3+) and codoped with holmium ions (Ho3+). The glass composition of results in a remarkably large bandwidth as compared with previous glasses. It is also highly compatible with existing silica optical fibers.

Abstract: A polycrystalline transparent ceramic article including lutetium is presented. The article includes an oxide with a formula of ABO3, having type A lattice sites and type B lattice sites. The lattice site A may further comprise a plurality of elements, in addition to lutetium. Type B lattice site includes aluminum. An imaging device, a laser assembly, and a scintillator including the lutetium-based article is provided. A method of making the above article is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-powered, random scattering laser generating device comprising a housing comprises an opening and an inner chamber, at least one quantum dot positioned inside the inner chamber, a high-energy emitting source positioned within the inner chamber and in radioactive communication with the at least one quantum dot, and a first lasing medium. The present disclosure also relates to a method comprising providing at least one quantum dot, contacting the at least one quantum dot with a high-energy emitting source whereby randomly scattered light is produced, partially coherently amplifying the randomly scattered light emitted from the at least one quantum dot, and generating a random scattering laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waveguide laser or amplifier material comprising a silica glass host material, one or more rare earth elements in total concentration CRE at. %, one or more network modifier elements selected from the group of tri- or penta-valent atoms of the periodic table of the elements in total concentration CNME at. %, wherein the ratio of atomic concentrations of the modifier elements to that of the rare earth elements CNWCRE is larger than or equal to 1, and wherein the total atomic concentration of rare earth and the tri-valent network modifiers, such as aluminium and/or boron, is substantially equal to the atomic concentration of the penta-valent network modifier, such as phosphorous. Such materials exhibit reduced risk of photo darkening.

Abstract: A glaze encapsulated solid-state laser component. The novel laser component includes a core and a cladding of ceramic glaze disposed on a surface of the core. In an illustrative embodiment, the core is fabricated from a laser gain medium and the cladding material is a multi-oxide eutectic ceramic glaze having a refractivity slighter lower than the refractivity of the gain medium, such that the glaze layer forms a step-index refractivity interface cladding that can effectively suppress parasitic oscillations in the core gain medium. The glaze cladding can be applied by coating the core with the glaze and then firing the glaze coated core, or by fabricating pre-formed cladding strips from the ceramic glaze in a first firing cycle, mounting the pre-formed strips to the core, and then fusing the pre-formed strips to the core in a secondary firing cycle.

Abstract: A laser. The novel laser includes a gain medium, a pump source adapted to optically excite the gain medium in a first location, and a resonator adapted to extract energy from the gain medium in a second location distinct from the first location. In an illustrative embodiment, the gain medium is comprised of a plurality of solid-state gain particles suspended in a fluid. The gain medium is adapted to flow, and optical excitation of the gain medium occurs outside of the resonator. In a preferred embodiment, the flow velocity and the density of gain particles in the gain medium are adjusted for optimal absorption efficiency during optical excitation and then for optimal extraction efficiency in the resonator. In addition, the resonator may be shaped for optimal extraction efficiency, while pump modules that hold the gain medium during optical excitation are shaped for optimal absorption efficiency.

Abstract: An object is to provide a method capable of boring a borehole even when quartz glass or silicon dioxide is deposited as molten dross by laser irradiation. A laser irradiation position of a workpiece is irradiated with a laser having wavelength of 1.2 ?m or longer and a high factor of absorption into liquid, for example, a CO2 laser, from a laser oscillator through liquid. By high pressure generated in an advancing microbubble flow occurring in the liquid, molten dross is scattered. Thus, the processing, such as boring, of the rock is performed.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes at least one pump light source which supplies a pump light. In addition, a laser device is provided which generates a laser pulse for emission into a combustion chamber. A light guide device transmits the pump light from the pump light source to the laser device. Finally, a laser-active solid body, a passive Q-switch, an incoupling mirror, and an output mirror of the laser device are arranged as one integrated monolithic part.

Abstract: A light emitting device with a ?-cavity including a first spacer of single crystal dielectric material and an active area including single crystal erbium dielectric material positioned on the first spacer. The erbium dielectric material and the single crystal dielectric material of the first spacer are substantially crystal lattice matched at their juncture. A second spacer of single crystal dielectric material is positioned on the active area. The erbium dielectric material and the single crystal dielectric material of the second spacer are substantially crystal lattice matched at the second surface. The high-? erbium dielectric provides a high gain ?-cavity that emits increased amounts of light in either spontaneous or stimulated modes of operation.

Abstract: A glaze soldered solid-state laser active medium. The novel laser active medium includes a first section of a first material, a second section of a second material, and a layer of ceramic glaze joining the two sections. The first and second materials may be identical, similar, or dissimilar, and may include crystals or ceramics. The glaze is a multi-oxide eutectic ceramic glaze having a refractivity, light absorption, thermal expansion, and fusion temperature that are compatible with the first material. The sections are joined using a novel glaze soldering process that includes the steps of positioning the sections, applying the ceramic glaze between the sections, and firing the glaze to solder the sections together.

Abstract: A laser and monitoring system is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser, pulse shaper and detection device. A further aspect of the present invention employs a femtosecond laser and binary pulse shaping (BPS). Still another aspect of the present invention uses a laser beam pulse, a pulse shaper and a SHG crystal. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan (hereinafter “MIIPS”) method is used to characterize the spectral phase of femtosecond laser pulses and to correct them. A further aspect of the system of the present invention is employed to monitor environmental chemicals and biological agents, including toxins, explosives, and diseases.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic material, particularly for elements in laser systems, and a method for preparing same. The glass-ceramic material may be used for an optical fiber for communication systems and laser systems. The glass-ceramic may include gahnite crystals and optionally ?-quartz-like solid solution, or a petalite-like crystals, spinel, and zirconia crystals. The elements may comprise a host material glass-ceramic, where the glass-ceramic is doped with appropriate ions.

Abstract: To obtain an optical component having excellent secondary optical nonlinear properties by irradiating a surface and/or inside of glass having at least one member selected from Ni, Fe, V, Cu, Cr and Mn as a heat source material for absorbing and converting a laser beam to heat, incorporated to a glass matrix comprising at least one glass-forming oxide-selected from SiO2, GeO2, B2O3, P2O5, TeO2, Ga2O3, V2O5, MoO3 and WO3 and at least one member selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, rare earth elements and transition elements, with a laser beam with a wavelength to be absorbed by the heat source material, to convert the irradiated portion to a single crystal or a group of crystal grains comprising components contained in the glass matrix and not containing the heat source material, thereby to form a pattern.

Abstract: A zig-zag laser has the ability to generate a high power beam while effectively removing heat without degrading the beam quality. The laser has a series of gaps interposed between the thin slabs, the gain medium, and between the thin slabs and the quartz windows to receive coolant and cool the cell assembly. The coolant flows transversely relative to the path of the laser and the flow of the coolant is in the opposite direction on each side of the thin slab to minimize the temperature gradient. The gaps in conjunction with the inner channel portions in the secondary manifold flow the coolant through the cell assembly in a laminar manner therein not degrading the laser beam quality. A transparent quartz/quartz interface between the secondary manifold and the cell assembly allow the fluorescence to move away from the cell assembly and minimizes heat in the cell assembly.

Abstract: A laser rod and methods of manufacturing a plurality of laser rods such that each laser rod has two polished end surfaces and an optical axis that extends between the two polished end surfaces. The laser rod includes a gain material component that has a substantially prismatic shape. The gain material component includes: a first end surface that is substantially optically smooth; a second end surface that is substantially optically smooth; at least three flat side surfaces; and an optical axis, which is substantially parallel to the flat side surfaces. The optical axis intersects the first end surface at a first incidence angle and it intersects the second end surface at a second incidence angle.

Abstract: An ultra-low heat laser that does not rely on florescence cooling. Generally, the inventive laser includes a pump source operable at a pump frequency and a gain medium disposed to receive energy from the source and lase at a frequency close to the pump frequency. In the illustrative embodiment, the laser is a solid state laser having a gain medium which is resonantly pumped to lase at a frequency within 5% of the pump frequency. However, in the best mode and in accordance with the present teachings, the gain medium lases at a frequency within 1% of the pump frequency. In the illustrative embodiment, the laser gain medium ion has a rich Stark energy level structure and the laser active gain medium has oscillator strengths at transitions wavelengths that allow an ultra-low quantum defect operation. The pump source has a wavelength output centered to correspond to a predetermined pump band and an emission band subtended by an absorption bandwidth thereof.

Abstract: Through the use of a relatively inexpensive third mirror on a novel folded hybrid unstable resonator configuration, the optimum output coupling for a given laser design can be explored quickly and easily with a minimum of intracavity mirror alignment. No changes in either the radii of curvature of the three cavity optics or their spacing are required for this exploration. In addition to providing techniques for purposefully and systematically introducing mirror edge effects or avoiding edges effects altogether, the invention provides that output beams of different width can be advantageously explored in a relatively simple and straightforward manner. The invention provides that higher geometric magnification cavity designs may be made compatible with low diffraction output coupling in a configuration that uses only three totally reflecting optics.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic material, particularly for elements in laser systems, and a method for preparing same. The glass-ceramic material may be used for an optical fiber for communication systems and laser systems. The glass-ceramic may include gahnite crystals and optionally ?-quartz-like solid solution, or a petalite-like crystals, spinel, and zirconia crystals. The elements may comprise a host material glass-ceramic, where the glass-ceramic is doped with appropriate ions.

Abstract: A heavy metal oxide glass selected from germanate, tellurite and bismuth oxide glasses provides a host for highly efficient Thulium doped 2 ?m oxide glass and fiber lasers. The concentration of Thulium ions is high enough that energy transferred by the phenomenon of cross-relaxation will enhance laser emission at 2 ?m and suppress emission at 1.5 ?m so that 2 ?m emission is dominant.

Abstract: A rare earth containing glass nominally based on the ternary P2O5—WO3—Na2O-Ln2O3 compositional space, with WO3>30-65 mole %, Na2O 15-35 mole %, P2O5 5-65 mole %, Ln2O3 (Ln=one or more cations selected from lanthanum or any of the rare earth oxides) up to the limit of solubility; with optional additives, MoO3 being a preferred additive, that can be employed alone or in combination at levels up to 15 mole %.

Abstract: A laser device which may be used as an oscillator or amplifier comprising a chamber having a volume formed therein and a gain medium within the volume. The gain medium comprises solid-state elements containing active laser ion distributed within the volume. A cooling fluid flows about the solid-state elements and a semiconductor laser diode provides optical pump radiation into the volume of the laser chamber such that laser emission from the device passes through the gain medium and the fluid. The laser device provides the advantages of a solid-state gain medium laser (e.g., diode-pumping, high power density, etc), but enables operation at higher average power and beam quality than would be achievable from a pure solid-state medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to optical devices comprising a solid-state structured glass substrate having at least one waveguide incorporated therein, particularly waveguides and lasers incorporating such structure. The invention is also directed to methods for modifying such devices and their properties. The waveguides and lasers of the invention provide advantageous high power and increased slope efficiency and find use, for example, in telecommunications applications.

Abstract: An optical transponder/transceiver for intermediate range (e.g., 10-50 km) optical communication applications utilizes an electroabsorption modulated laser for the transmitting device. Preferably, the laser operations at a wavelength of approximately 1310 nm and comprises an electroabsorption modulated Fabry-Perot laser.

Abstract: A WDM transmitter comprising an array of M pump lasers multiplexed by an M×N multiplexer, in the form of a coupler, and used to feed an array of N optically pumped fiber lasers emitting at wavelengths ?1, ?2, . . . ?N. The parameter M determines the number of pump lasers as well as the number of inputs of the pump-multiplexing coupler and can be smaller or equal to parameter N that determines the number of optically pumped lasers. The fiber laser outputs are passed through N isolators before entering N modulators were the signals are monolithically modulated. The outputs of the modulators are passed through an array of N tunable attenuators. Finally all the individual channel outputs are recombined into a single output in a combiner. The output will typically lead to an optical network. The proposed architecture may also be used for optical amplifiers, especially fiber-based optical amplifiers.

Abstract: A laser device which may be used as an oscillator or amplifier comprising a chamber having a volume formed therein and a gain medium within the volume. The gain medium comprises solid-state elements containing active laser ion distributed within the volume. A cooling fluid flows about the solid-state elements and a semiconductor laser diode provides optical pump radiation into the volume of the laser chamber such that laser emission from the device passes through the gain medium and the fluid. The laser device provides the advantages of a solid-state gain medium laser (e.g., diode-pumping, high power density, etc), but enables operation at higher average power and beam quality than would be achievable from a pure solid-state medium.

Abstract: A high-gain phosphate glass composition, which can be used to produce ultra-short gain length lasers and optical amplifiers is described wherein the composition of the glass in addition to exhibiting high gain for lasers and amplifiers, also exhibits high thermal shock resistance, high cross section, insignificant concentration quenching, and high solubility for rare earth ions and other properties which enable the material to be fabricated into a new class of ultra-short length micro-laser, fiber laser and amplifier configurations and designs.

Abstract: A laser gain medium having a layered coating on at least certain surfaces of the laser gain medium. The layered coating having a reflective inner material and an absorptive scattering outside material.

Abstract: A solid state waveguided structure a core fabricated of a lasing medium, diffusion-bonded to a cladding fabricated of a laser-inactive material. The medium of the core comprises a lutetium-aluminum-garnet material doped with ions of ytterbium, lutetium-aluminum-garnet material doped with ions of neodymium, and lutetium-aluminum-garnet material doped with ions of thulium, and the laser-inactive material of the cladding comprises an yttrium-aluminum-garnet material. A method of fabricating a solid state waveguided structure with improved characteristics comprising using a combination of a trivalent ions of ytterbium-doped lutetium-aluminum-garnet core and a yttrium-aluminum-garnet cladding.

Abstract: A display system for providing a user viewable visible color image includes a display for receiving color laser light so that the display, in response to color laser light, produces a viewable visible colored image; a plurality of different color laser light sources arranged in an array with each such laser light source including: a first dielectric stack for receiving and transmitting pump-beam light and being reflective to laser light over a predetermined range of wavelengths; an organic active region for receiving transmitted pump-beam light from the first dielectric stack; and a second dielectric stack for reflecting transmitted pump-beam light and laser light from the organic active region back into the organic active region. The display system projects color laser light from the array onto the display in a pattern to cause a visual image to be produced by the display.

Abstract: A thulium doped silicate glass composition which contains SiO2, Al2O3, and La2O3 emits visible and UV light when excited by infrared light. The glass composition may also contain GeO2 and Er2O3. When excited by infrared light of about 1060 nm, the glass emits visible light at fluorescent transitions of the Tm3+ ions with major broad features at 365, 455, 472, 651, and 791 nm.

Abstract: An organic vertical cavity laser device includes a substrate; a bottom dielectric stack reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths and being disposed over the substrate, and an organic active region for producing laser light. The device also includes a top dielectric stack spaced from the bottom dielectric stack and reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths, and a thermally conductive transparent layer disposed between the bottom dielectric stack and the organic active region or between the top dielectric stack and the organic active region or both.

Abstract: Laser material is pumped and its stored energy is extracted in a heat capacity laser mode at a high duty factor. When the laser material reaches a maximum temperature, it is removed from the lasing region and a subsequent volume of laser material is positioned into the lasing region to repeat the lasing process. The heated laser material is cooled passively or actively outside the lasing region.

Abstract: A laser uses a rare-earth doped phosphate laser glass characterized by a particularly high rare-earth content to generate the highest possible output power/energy pulses. The laser glass is composed primarily of P2O5, Al2O3, and alkaline earth and alkali earth oxides, and possesses other properties such as physical and thermal properties that are compatible with melting and manufacturing methods. The laser glass can be used in high power and high energy laser systems where laser action is achieved in rod or slab shaped components as well as in waveguide or thin film structures prepared by structuring technologies such as sputtering, ion exchange, and/or direct writing with a femtosecond laser.

Abstract: A laser device employs a laser slab having an ionic layer and a nonionic layer, joined through an optical-quality interface. The laser slab has a trapezoidal cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the optical-quality interface. Thermal conductivity away from the ionic layer is enhanced through the thinness of the ionic layer and through the use of a heatsink attached to the ionic layer. Optical power input through the nonionic layer and into the ionic layer is further increased through the use of the trapezoidal cross section.

Abstract: A tellurite glass material has a composition of Li2O:TiO2:TeO2, and contains a dopant comprising ions of a rare earth metal. The rare earth ions can be thulium ions, Tm3+, to provide a material offering optical gain at 1470 nm. The properties of the glass make it suitable for the fabrication of high quality optical fibers and planar waveguides, which can in turn be used in optical amplifiers and oscillators. Co-doping the glass with acceptor ions such as holmium ions, Ho3+, improves the population inversion in the rare earth ions and hence enhances the gain.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for achieving ultrahigh-power output from a solid-state laser. The solid-state laser of the subject invention uses multiple disk-shaped laser gain media (subapertures) placed adjacent to each other to fill an optical aperture of an AMA module. In one preferred embodiment each of the laser gain media is provided with optical coatings for operation in the active mirror configuration. Furthermore, each of the laser gain media is hydrostatic pressure-clamped to a rigid, cooled substrate, which allows it to maintain a prescribed shape even when experiencing significant thermal load. A cooling medium can be provided to a heat exchanger internal to the substrate and/or flowed through the passages on the substrate surface, thereby directly cooling the laser gain medium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modulating a phase of optical beam with reduced contact loss. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a first region of an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material. The first region has a first conductivity type. The apparatus further includes a second region of the optical waveguide disposed in the semiconductor material. The second region has a second conductivity type, which is opposite to the first conductivity type. A first contact is coupled to the optical waveguide at a first location, which is outside an optical path of an optical beam that is to be directed through the optical waveguide. A first buffer of insulating material is disposed along the optical waveguide between the first contact and the optical path of the optical beam. A buffer plug of insulating material disposed in the optical waveguide on a same side as the first location.

Abstract: A stable resonator for solid-state lasers which exhibit a thermally induced lensing effect, includes a laser rod, a rear mirror and a semi-reflecting output mirror. The invention is characterized in that the rear mirror has an extremely asymmetrical configuration, allowing the laser rod to move totally or almost totally toward the side of the output mirror. The laser rod is curved in a convex manner on one end in order to achieve a refractive effect, and a convex rear mirror is provided. As a result of the extreme asymmetry, the resonator has a beam quality as a function of the pump power with a comparably flat maximum even at relatively short resonator lengths in contrast to the state of the art. The effects of the thermal lens have practically no influence on processing results. Starting pulse behavior lies below the detection limit.

Abstract: When the CW laser oscillator is employed in the manufacturing process of the semiconductor device, it is expected to obtain the device of high performance. However, the CW oscillator provides only a small beam spot and forms an inferior crystalline region when it is scanned on the semiconductor film. It is necessary to minimize such an inferior crystalline region because it gives a problem in terms of high integration of the semiconductor element. In view of the problem, the present invention is to form a long crystalline region as suppressing the formation of the inferior crystalline region by irradiating the fundamental wave with the harmonic supplementarily (refer to FIG. 1).

Abstract: In a method of amplifying optical input signals over a wide bandwidth, the optical input signals are applied to an optical waveguide made from a rare-earth-doped amorphous material (e.g., erbium-doped yttrium aluminum oxide material). The optical input signals include optical signals having wavelengths over a range of at least 80 nanometers, and, preferably, over a range of at least 160 nanometers. Pump light is applied to the optical waveguide to cause the waveguide to provide optical gain to the optical input signals. The optical gain causes the optical signals to be amplified within the waveguide to provide amplified optical signals over the extended 80-160-nanometer range, including, in particular, optical signals having wavelengths at one end of the range and optical signals having wavelengths at a second end or the range.

Abstract: A microchip laser arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement is operative to emit Q-switched laser pulses at 1.54 &mgr;m. The lasing medium of the laser arrangement is preferably comprised of Yb:Er-glass, and the Q-switch is comprised of a saturable absorber of cobalt doped spinel crystal. The lasing medium is preferably bonded to the absorber to form a monolithic body, upon the surface of which there are deposited dielectric stacks forming a resonant laser cavity. Pumping of the active medium is performed by means of an InGaAs laser diode emitting light at 0.97 &mgr;m, corresponding well with the absorption of the Yb:Er-glass material.

Abstract: In a method of amplifying optical input signals over a wide bandwidth, the optical input signals are applied to an optical waveguide made from a rare-earth-doped amorphous material (e.g., erbium-doped yttrium aluminum oxide material). The optical input signals include optical signals having wavelengths over a range of at least 80 nanometers, and, preferably, over a range of at least 160 nanometers. Pump light is applied to the optical waveguide to cause the waveguide to provide optical gain to the optical input signals. The optical gain causes the optical signals to be amplified within the waveguide to provide amplified optical signals over the extended 80-160-nanometer range, including, in particular, optical signals having wavelengths at one end of the range and optical signals having wavelengths at a second end or the range.

Abstract: An optical waveguide amplifier fiber comprises a core region at least in part comprises Er2O3, Al2O3, GeO2 and Ga2O3. The amplifier fiber also comprises an inner clad surrounding the core region, and an outer clad surrounding the inner clad. The relative refractive index percentages and radii of the core region, inner clad and outer clad are chosen from the following ranges: the relative refractive index percent of the core segment within the range of from about 0.5% to about 1.2%; the relative refractive index percent of the inner clad within the range of from about 0.0% to about 0.3%; the outer radius of the core region within the range of from about 2.0 &mgr;m to about 5.0 &mgr;m; and, the outer radius of the inner clad within the range of from about 3.8 &mgr;m to about 10.2 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An optical fiber laser structure and system are disclosed. The fiber laser structure includes a core, an inner cladding, and an outer cladding. The core has a first and second end and includes a combination of ytterbium and erbium as a first active gain component. The inner cladding, having a length defined between the first and second ends, surrounds the core. The inner cladding includes neodymium as a second active gain component that is different from the first active gain component. The system includes a pumping source coupled to the inner cladding to provide energy to the neodymium in the inner cladding. Upon being pumped, the neodymium achieves amplified spontaneous emission in the inner cladding along the length between the first and second ends. As a result, energy is efficiently transferred from the neodymium to the combination of the ytterbium and erbium in the core thereby providing laser activity at an eye-safe laser wavelength of 1535 nanometers.

Abstract: Vertical cavity surface emitting laser arrays that emit light at different wavelengths and that are suitable for wavelength multiplexed applications. Such arrays are beneficially produced using binary masks that control the thickness elements of a spacer, which in turn controls the wavelengths of light from the individual VCSEL elements. The binary masks can be used to control either deposition (growth) or etching. The binary masks, which are comprised of open areas and closed areas, are selectively applied to an intermediate VCSEL array structure.

Abstract: A laser emitting apparatus includes an incoherent light-emitting device having a light-emitting layer wherein an electric field is applied across the light-emitting layer to produce light which is transmitted out of the incoherent light-emitting device and a vertical laser cavity structure disposed to receive light transmitted from the incoherent light-emitting device and produce laser light.

Abstract: A family of tellurite glasses and optical components for telecommunication systems, the glasses consisting essentially of, as calculated in cation percent, 65-97% TeO2, and at least one additional oxide of an element having a valence greater than two and selected from the group consisting of Ta, Nb, W, Ti, La, Zr, Hf, Y, Gd, Lu, Sc, Al and Ga, that may contain a lanthanide oxide as a dopant, in particular erbium oxide, and that, when so doped, is characterized by a fluorescent emission spectrum having a relatively broad FWHM value.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved glass host for a Pr3+-doped glass 589 nm laser. For this purpose, a fluoroaluminate glass, of certain composition ranges, has been determined per the invention. Results indicate good lasing intensity at 589 nm in such fluoroaluminate glass host, particularly at elevated temperatures. The glass can be in the form of fiber, glass rod, or wave-guide.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device includes: active layer; first cladding layer, which is formed on the active layer and is made of (AlX1Ga1−X1)Z1In1−Z1P (where 0≦X1≦1 and 0<Z1<1) of a first conductivity type; current blocking layer, which is formed on the first cladding layer and is made of (AlYGa1−Y)Z2In1−Z2P (where 0≦Y≦1 and 0<Z2<1) of a second conductivity type and has striped region; and second cladding layer, which is formed at least in the striped region and is made of (AlX2Ga1−X2)Z3In1−Z3P (where 0≦X1≦1 and 0<Z3<1) of the first conductivity type. X1, X2 and Y have relationships represented as Y>X1 and Y>X2. Saturable absorption region absorbing laser light produced from the active layer is formed in part of the active layer under the current blocking layer.