Glass for neodymium fusion lasers

Of the various applications of laser glass, the recent use of large, high-power Nd glass lasers for inertial confinement fusion experiments has prompted an intensive search for improved glasses. Systematic studies of a large number of host glasses show that, within limits, the spectroscopic properties of Nd 3+ laser ions which are important for energy storage and extraction can be tailored by compositional changes. These results should also be applicable to other rare-earth laser ions.