Spectroscopic and laser properties of Cr3+-doped Al2(WO4)3and SC2(WO4)3

Different tungstates and molybdates have been examined in view of their potential application as host lattices for tunable Cr
³⁺
solid-state lasers. From chemical, crystal growth, and structural considerations, Cr:Al
2
(WO
4
)
3
and Cr:Sc
2
(WO
4
)
3
are suitable and have been investigated spectroscopically in detail. Due to the acentric site symmetry of the Cr
³⁺
laser ions (C
1
), both compounds exhibit strong absorption and emission cross sections in the 10
^-19
cm
²
range and therefore belong to the class of high-gain Cr materials. For the first time, laser action has been observed in Cr : Al
2
(WO
4
)
3
at about 800 nm wavelength. Laser experiments with Cr:Sc
2
(WO
4
)
3
are in progress.