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I recently got a rather large 175mm x 10mm Brewster-cut Ruby Rod, so I thought I'd share it with you guys. I don't have a cavity set up, as I'm missing stuff i'd need to do it, but it makes a rather pretty color when simply being excited. For those who don't know...Ruby is the same as Sapphire, being an Aluminum oxide crystal structure, but is doped with Chromium (Cr) specifically which is what gives it the red color. this one is probably around .05% doped, making it a dark pink color. this makes it a bit easier to pump than the dark red 1% doped rods, as it allows a bit more light through itself. Ruby is a 3 stage laser, and has a very high threshold for lasing, as it is absorbent to its own wavelength (694nm). Typically Ti:Sapphire is pumped with a 532nm laser, and Ruby similarly is able to accept 532 as well as 405nm where its absorbtion is greatest, it however is also strongly absorbant at 694nm which it emits when excited, and a bit into the IR range as well. Ruby was the first laser demonstrated, pumped by a flashlamp. perhaps in time, I'll make one myself!
but enough with the chatter...We all know what you really came here for!
...
Pictures!
175mm from 'window' center to center....this thing is a beast! though the Cr is only doped in the center using the remaining empty sapphire ends as windows. possibly to allow for light balancing out the center (and allow repairs ?)
With a LED flash on:
Pumping with about half a watt of 532nm courtesy of my Hercules...Light her up!
closeup! The far red on the right is pretty close to the actual color!
Pumping it with its own wavelength! 40mW of 690nm going through it! what a gorgeous color, actually comes across the camera decently too due to the lower intensity!
Excitation under a long Blacklight with a uranium marble which happens to just be hanging out up there
Turn it on already geez
Another (better) closeup!
end shot:
Thanks for looking :beer: I'll let you know if I ever get stuff to work on this further
but enough with the chatter...We all know what you really came here for!
...
Pictures!
175mm from 'window' center to center....this thing is a beast! though the Cr is only doped in the center using the remaining empty sapphire ends as windows. possibly to allow for light balancing out the center (and allow repairs ?)
With a LED flash on:
Pumping with about half a watt of 532nm courtesy of my Hercules...Light her up!
closeup! The far red on the right is pretty close to the actual color!
Pumping it with its own wavelength! 40mW of 690nm going through it! what a gorgeous color, actually comes across the camera decently too due to the lower intensity!
Excitation under a long Blacklight with a uranium marble which happens to just be hanging out up there
Turn it on already geez
Another (better) closeup!
end shot:
Thanks for looking :beer: I'll let you know if I ever get stuff to work on this further
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