Co2+: MgAl2O4 Laser Crystals

 Co2+:MgAl2O4 Cospinel is a relatively new material for passive Q-switching in lasers emitting from 1.2 to 1.6 μm, in particular, for eye-safe 1.54 μm Er: glass laser, but also works at 1.44 μm and 1.34 μm wavelengths. Spinel is a hard, stable crystal that polishes well. Cobalt substitutes readily for magnesium in the Spinel host without the need for additional charge compensation ions. High absorption cross section (3.5×10^-19 cm2) permits Q-switching of Er: glass laser without intracavity focusing both with flash-lamp and diode-laser pumping. Negligible excited-state absorption results in high contrast of Q-switch, i.e. the ratio of initial (small signal) to saturated absorption is higher than 10.

Applications of Co2+: MgAl2O4 Laser Crystals

Passive Q-switch for Radar and Ranging Er: Glass lasers @1,35µm

Passive Q-switch for Medical lasers @1,500 µm

Advantages of Co2+: MgAl2O4 Laser Crystals

Rarely excited absorption

The high constant of Q-switch

High absorption section

Long excited lifetime

Evenly distributed cobalt