Advisory Committee Chair
Sergey B Mirov
Advisory Committee Members
Shane A Catledge
Vladimer V Fedorov
Patrick Kung
Mary Ellen Zvanut
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2023
Degree Name by School
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) College of Arts and Sciences
Abstract
Middle infrared (mid-IR) lasers have gained significant attention across various fields, including optics research, medical applications, and defense technologies. The mid-IR spectral region, spanning wavelengths between 2μm and 8μm, is particularly important due to its overlap with the molecular fingerprints, which enables the detection of organic and inorganic molecules through their rotational and vibrational frequencies. Transition metaldoped II-VI (TM:II-VI) chalcogenides, specifically Cr:ZnSe, are well-known laser materials for optically pumped mid-IR lasers, offering effective lasing capabilities in this spectral range. In addition to optical excitation, the wide-band semiconductor nature of Cr:ZnSe crystals holds the potential for direct electrical excitation, making them promising gain media for electrically excited lasers. This research focuses on optimizing the doping processes to simultaneously achieve electrical conductivity in Cr:ZnSe crystals and incorporate laseractive centers provided by Cr ions. Initially, the study explores annealing in the melt phase as an alternative to vapor annealing for doping optimization. The results demonstrate successful liquid annealing methods that preserve favorable optical characteristics of the samples. An alternative approach utilizing Se vapor annealing to create conductive ZnSe samples is also investigated. Furthermore, the study explores the doping of Al:ZnSe crystals in iii combination with Cr. Traditionally, annealing Cr:ZnSe crystals in Al leads to purification and the transfer of chromium to the Zn-Al alloy melt. However, this research focuses on optimizing the doping technique by reversing the doping order, producing samples with a high level of Cr. The electrical and optical characterization of these samples is thoroughly examined.
Recommended Citation
Watkins, Rick Harrington, "Spectroscopic and Electrical Characterization of Cr:Al:ZnSe Gain Elements" (2023). All ETDs from UAB. 373.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/373