A new approach to the design of optically pumped solid-state lasers is proposed which permits lasing without detrimental heating of the laser medium. Very high average power lasers should be possible by balancing the radiated and absorbed power density at each point within the laser medium.

Oriented absorption and fluorescence spectra, refractive indices, thermal expansion, and thermal conductivities are reported for the anisotropic laser material ytterbium-doped potassium gadolinium tungstate, Yb3+:KGd(WO4)2. Measurements of negative values for dn/dT lead to the report of several useful athermal orientations for laser propagation.

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A novel method combining elemental sulfur and selenium was developed, yielding crystalline sulfur-selenium compounds. The compounds were melted, and an organic comonomer added. Once the organic comonomer was consumed, the viscous compound was vitrified and allowed to cool yielding organic-inorganic hybrid polymers that are termed Organically Modified Chalcogenide (ORMOCHALC) polymers.