Spectroscopic analogy approach in selective search for new Ce3+-activated all-solid-state tunable ultraviolet laser materials

Abstract

Recent progress made with Ce3+-activated materials offers numerous advantages with respect to other traditional sources of tunable ultraviolet (UV) radiation; so there is a strong incentive for further aimed searches for new Ce3+-activated materials capable of lasing with wider continuous UV tunability using all-solid-state direct UV pumping. Here we report the spectroscopic analogy approach for further aimed searches derived from the analysis of known laser materials. We also report the results of our test investigation, based on the suggested approach, where Ce3+-activated SrAlF5 is spectroscopically characterized as a promising all-solid-state tunable UV laser material which can be efficiently pumped by a quadrupled Nd laser.