Alignment of Cr^3+ in Ruby

Abstract

Alignment of Cr³⁺ in ruby has been accomplished by optically pumping a ruby sample with circularly polarized radiation, 6943 Å, from a high-power ruby laser. Alignment of Cr³⁺ is detected by the emf induced in a coil surrounding the ruby sample. Measurements of the percentage alignment and relaxation time of Cr³⁺ are obtained from oscillograms of the induced emf and of the circularly polarized radiation from the ruby laser. At room temperature the efficiency of alignment is several tens of percent and the relaxation time of Cr³⁺ is about 0.1 μsec.