Absorption and Emission Spectroscopy of a Lasing Material: Ruby.

• Autores: C. Degli Esposti, L. Bizzocchi
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 84, Nº 8, 2007, págs. 1316-1318
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This article describes a laboratory experiment that allows the students to characterize the photophysical properties of ruby, the crystalline material that was used as the active medium to produce the first laser emission. The students record the absorption and emission spectra of low-cost samples of industrial ruby and determine the lifetime of the luminescent excited state. The results obtained are explained in terms of crystal field theory, optical selection rules, and rates of radiative and nonradiative relaxation processes, and they are related to the operating conditions of a ruby laser. This instrumental experiment has been developed for an upper-division undergraduate audience, and it is suitable for advanced physical chemistry or inorganic chemistry courses.