Novel Solid-State Laser Design Based on Synthetic Diamond From Element Six Opens up New Ap...( The importance of this type of laser ...),Health

The importance of this type of laser is that it can shift the wavelength. As Dr. Kemp says the ability to shift the wavelengths "gives access to the applications-rich, but currently source-poor, yellow-orange region of the spectrum." Today, most commercial lasers operate in the near infrared region of the spectrum between 0.8 microm to 1.1 microm with a particular concentration around 1 microm (1.03 - 1.07 microm) where most of the high performance laser work is done. "Perhaps the most important challenge in modern solid-state laser engineering," says Dr. Kemp, "is to find ways to generate new wavelengths but in doing so to retain as much as possible of the convenience and performance of current lasers."

Potential of synthetic diamond

In addition, current generations of continuous wave solid state Raman lasers have been limited to powers of only a few watts due to thermal problems. Diamond has excellent thermal conductivity combined with a low thermal coefficient of expansion allowing greater power handling capability. "The least glamorous but most pervasive problem in laser engineering, particularly when you want high performance in a small package, is how to deal with heat," points out Dr. Kemp. "This is particularly problematic in high power Raman lasers because crystals that are good Raman converters are typically rather poor conductors of heat. This is where diamond comes in. With a thermal conductivity that is two to three orders of magnitude better than typical Raman active crystals, it should be an excellent Raman medium and allow us to generate much higher output powers." In addition, diamond shifts the wavelength slightly further than the Raman-active crystals that are currently used which may extend its application potential. "The team at the Institute of Physics has recognised that diamond has a high Raman gain coefficient and a large Raman shift compared to conventional Raman media," adds Chris Wort, Technical Manager at Element Six. <
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