P-element doped laser medium apparatus and method

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a glass composition including a host glass, a 3p component having a concentration of about 5 mole percent to about 10 mole percent, and at least one of a 6p component having a concentration of about 1 mole percent to about 5 mole percent and a 5p component having a concentration of about 1 mole percent to about 5 mole percent, is provided. The method includes heating the host glass to a first predetermined temperature for a first period of time; mixing a powder including the 3p component and the at least one of the 5p component and the 6p component with the heated host glass into a glass/powder mixture; heating the glass/powder mixture to a second predetermined temperature for a second period of time; and cooling, after heating, the glass/powder mixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing a glass composition including a host glass, a 3p component having a concentration of about 5 mole percent to about 10 mole percent, and at least one of a 6p component having a concentration of about 1 mole percent to about 5 mole percent and a 5p component having a concentration of about 1 mole percent to about 5 mole percent, the method comprising:
 heating the host glass to a first predetermined temperature for a first period of time;   mixing a powder including the 3p component and the at least one of the 5p component and the 6p component with the heated host glass into a glass/powder mixture;   heating the glass/powder mixture to a second predetermined temperature for a second period of time; and   cooling, after heating, the glass/powder mixture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the host glass is heated to about 950° C. for about 20 hours. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glass/powder mixture is heated to about 1450° C. for about 1 hour.