Interferometric measurement of the temperature coefficient of the refractive index dn/dT and the coefficient of thermal expansion of Pr:YLF laser crystals

  • We report interferometric measurements of the temperature coefficient of the refractive index (dn=dT) and the coefficient of thermal expansion (a) of a praseodymium-doped yttrium lithium fluoride (Pr:YLF) crystal and of a fused silica reference sample. Our phase-resolved interferometric method yields a large number of data points and thus allows a precise measurement and a good error estimation. Furthermore, both dn=dT and a are obtained simultaneously from a single measurement which reduces errors that can occur in separate measurements. Over the temperature range from 20 °C to 80 °C, the value of dn=dT of Pr:YLF decreases from -5.2 x 10-6 /K to -6.2 x 10-6 /K for the ordinary refractive index and from -7.6 x 10-6 /K to -8.6 x 10-6 /K for the extraordinary refractive index. The coefficient of thermal expansion for the a-axis of Pr:YLF increases from 16.4 x 10-6 /K to 17.8 x 10-6 /K over the same temperature range.

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  • This paper was published in Optics Express and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?uri=oe-22-25-30683. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.

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Metadaten
Author:Orestis Kazasidis, Ulrich Wittrock
URN:urn:nbn:de:hbz:836-opus-7720
DOI:https://doi.org/10.25974/fhms-772
DOI of first publication:https://doi/org/10.1364/OE.22.030683
Parent Title (German):Opt. Expr.
Publisher:Optical Society of America
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2014/12/05
Year of first Publication:2014
Publishing Institution:FH Münster - University of Applied Sciences
Release Date:2014/12/05
Tag:laser crystal; praseodymium; refractive index change; thermal expansion coefficient; yttrium lithium fluoride
Volume:22
First Page:30683
Last Page:30696
Institutes:Physikingenieurwesen (PHY)
Dewey Decimal Classification:5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 53 Physik / 530 Physik
Publication list:Wittrock, Ulrich
Licence (German):License Logo Zweitveroeffentlichung