Co2+:MgAl2O4 ( Co2+:Spinel) Crystals

Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystals, also known as Co2+:Spinel crystals, are prized for their exceptional optical and thermal properties. Doped with cobalt (Co2+) ions in a magnesium aluminate oxide (MgAl2O4) matrix, these crystals exhibit broad absorption bands and efficient conversion of pump energy into laser emission. They emit tunable infrared radiation around 2 micrometers, making them valuable for applications in laser radar, medical surgery, and scientific research. Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystals are known for their high thermal conductivity, chemical stability, and resilience to thermal shock, ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments.

Specifications:

Material	Co²⁺:MgAl2O4
Orientation	<111>+/-0.5°
Doping Rate of Co2+	0.05-0.3 atm%
Optical Density	0.1-0.9
Optical Density	0.1-0.9
Transmittance	30%-99%
Absorption Coefficient	1.0cm^-1-7cm^-1
Absorption Section	3.5 x 10^-19cm²
Thickness/Diameter Tolerance	+/-0.1mm
Parallelism	10″
Perpendicular	5′
Surface Quality	10/5
Wavefront Distortion	Lambda/8 @ 632nm
Flatness	Lambda/8 @ 632nm
Aperture	>90%
Chamfer	0.1 x 45°
Damage Threshold	>500MW/cm²
HR Coating	≦0.2%(@ 1533nm)

Featuers:

High Thermal Conductivity: MgAl2O4 spinel itself has excellent thermal conductivity properties, which are beneficial for applications where heat dissipation is critical. The addition of Co2+ ions does not significantly degrade this property.
High Optical Transparency: Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystals exhibit good optical transparency in the near-infrared region, making them suitable for laser applications and optical devices that operate in this wavelength range.
Broadband Near-Infrared Emission: Co2+ ions in MgAl2O4 spinel can emit broadband near-infrared luminescence, typically around 1.7 μm. This emission wavelength is useful in telecommunications, laser sources, and medical applications.
Chemical and Thermal Stability: These crystals are chemically and thermally stable, which enhances their durability and reliability in various environments. This stability is crucial for long-term performance in lasers and other optical devices.

Main Advantages:

Solid-State Lasers: Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystals are used as gain media in solid-state lasers, particularly in the mid-infrared region (~1.7 μm wavelength). They are capable of producing powerful and efficient laser emission, suitable for applications in laser machining, laser surgery, and scientific research.
Medical Lasers: The near-infrared emission from Co2+ crystals is particularly useful in medical applications such as soft tissue surgery (e.g., dermatology, ophthalmology). The wavelength around 1.7 μm is well-absorbed by water, making it effective for precise tissue ablation with minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissue.
Optical Parametric Oscillators (OPOs): Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystals can be used as nonlinear optical materials in OPOs. They serve as efficient frequency converters, generating tunable mid-infrared radiation by mixing with other laser sources, extending their applications in spectroscopy and remote sensing.
Optical Amplifiers: These crystals are utilized in optical amplifiers for telecommunications. Their broadband near-infrared emission is beneficial for amplifying optical signals in fiber optic networks, improving signal integrity over long distances.
Frequency Conversion: Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystals are used for frequency doubling and mixing applications due to their nonlinear optical properties. This allows for the generation of new wavelengths from existing laser sources, expanding the range of applications in spectroscopy and research.
Laser Diagnostics: In scientific and industrial settings, Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystals are used for laser diagnostics, particularly in applications requiring precise and stable laser sources. Their reliability and performance make them suitable for demanding environments.
Military and Defense: These crystals find applications in military and defense technologies, including laser target designators, range finding, and directed energy weapons, where robust and efficient laser sources are crucial.