Modern developments in the physics of crystalline laser materials

After a brief examination of known insulating laser crystals and the stimulated emission channels of their generating activator ions, this article reviews recent advances in the development of novel lasing nanocrystalline ceramics, as well as nonlinear and nonlinear-laser crystals, including organics, for χ(2) and χ(3) frequency converters. Several new attractive technologies in the physics and techniques of crystalline lasers are also discussed. (© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)