Crystal growth, spectroscopy, and laser characteristics of Ti:Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/

The vertical-gradient-freeze technique has been used to grow laser-quality Ti:Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ single crystals. Ti/sup 3+/-Ti/sup 4+/ pairs have been shown to be responsible for the residual infrared absorption. Room-temperature oscillator and amplifier experiments are reviewed.<
>