NON EQUIVALENT ACTIVE-CENTERS AND THEIR LATTICE LOCATION IN LINBO3 MINILASERS

This paper describes how the combined use of optical spectroscopy and RBS/Channelling techniques is useful to investigate the optically active M(3+) centres in LiNbO3:M crystals (M = Pr, Nd, Eu, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb). Particular emphasis is made on the LiNbO3(MgO):Nd laser system. Possible structures for M(3+) centres are discussed in terms of different off-centred positions from regular lattice sites for the M(3+) ions. The effect of MgO codoping (necessary for laser applications) on the M(3+) centres is also analyzed.