laserite

Laserite is a synthetic photonic material developed for manipulation of laser light. It is designed to exhibit strong optical nonlinearity and high damage threshold, enabling applications in laser systems, frequency conversion, and optical switching. The material can be formed as a crystalline ceramic or as a single crystal, depending on the desired properties.

It is typically based on a host oxide matrix doped with active ions or dopants that tailor emission and nonlinear response. Common dopants include rare-earth or transition-metal ions, and the exact composition is tuned to balance transparency, refractive index, and nonlinear coefficients. The lattice can be grown as single crystals by conventional crystal-growth methods or fabricated as dense ceramics through sintering.

Laserite demonstrates broad optical transparency from the visible to near-infrared, low linear absorption at operating wavelengths, and an enhanced nonlinear refractive index. Its laser-induced damage threshold is high, allowing operation at high peak powers. Thermal conductivity is optimized to minimize heating under intense illumination.

Manufacturing involves solid-state synthesis, careful doping control, and consolidation into glasses, ceramics, or single crystals. Post-processing steps may include annealing and surface polishing for low scattering losses.

In lasers, laserite serves as gain media, nonlinear optical elements for frequency mixing or pulse compression, and as components in optical switches and waveguides. It is also explored for photonic integrated circuits and protective optical coatings.

The material was first reported in the literature in the early 2010s by researchers investigating nonlinear optical materials. It has since been the subject of ongoing research to optimize performance and manufacturability.