Abstract
The polarized differential absorption spectra of the ion in and crystals were studied under picosecond excitation. Polarized excited-state absorption (ESA) spectra were derived from the differential absorption spectra by use of the ground-state absorption (GSA) and ESA cross sections obtained from intensity-dependent transmission measurements. ESA was assigned to the and transitions of the ion. Passive switching of a (1.08-μm) and a ruby (694-nm) laser with the and the crystals as saturable absorbers was demonstrated. The pulse duration (energy) of the -switched and the ruby laser were found to be 55 ns (2.4 mJ) and 90 ns (20 mJ), respectively.
© 1998 Optical Society of America
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