Spectroscopic Investigations of Transparent Glass-Ceramics on the Basis of Cr4+:LiGaSiO4

Single crystal of Cr⁴⁺-doped LiGaSiO₄ was shown recently to be promising active medium of solid-state lasers tunable within 1.2-1.4 mum. This crystal demonstrates intensive broadband fluorescence with the lifetime 15 musec. The substantial evolution of the optical absorption spectrum after devitrification had been observed in the range of 600-800 mum. The formation of grains of chromium doped crystalline alpha-LiGaSiO₄ phase, responsible for this fluorescence, was proved also by XRD and SEM measurements.