Crystal Field Engineering of Solid State Laser Materials

This book examines the underlying science and design of laser materials. It emphasizes the principles of crystal-field engineering and discusses the basic physical concepts that determine laser gain and nonlinear frequency conversion in optical crystals. Henderson and Bartram develop the predictive capabilities of crystal-field engineering to show how modification of the symmetry and composition of optical centers can improve laser performance. They also discuss applications of the principles of crystal-field engineering to a variety of optical crystals in relation to the performances of laser devices. This book will be of considerable interest to physical, chemical and material scientists and to engineers involved in the science and technology of solid state lasers.

This book is concerned with the underlying science and design of laser materials. Some methods of preparing materials are presented and their basic underlying science is applied to actual and potential laser crystals and non-crystals. This book will be of benefit to physicists, chemists, materials scientists and to engineers engaged in the development of new laser materials.