Abstract

Well-characterized solid-state laser materials are evaluated for performance in radiation balanced laser systems. New figures-of-merit are developed and applied to ytterbium doped materials. Superior performance is predicted for high cross section tungstate materials. Photothermal deflection experiments on samples of Yb³⁺ doped KGd(WO₄)₂ confirm anti-Stokes fluorescence cooling. Observations of optical cooling in this high figure-of-merit material confirm the potential of this approach for laser power scaling.

© 2000 Optical Society of America