Abstract

This presentation reviews the role of laser materials in the research and development of solid-state lasers. Innovative laser crystals, mostly based on synthetic gem stones, and the progress of semiconductor lasers have initiated a renaissance in the field of solid-state lasers which still continues to grow. New materials, improvement of materials perfection, and, ,molecular engineering“ of materials are future guidelines in the physics and development of coherent solid-state light sources.

© 2000 Optical Society of America