Does Ruby Emit Red When Illuminated with Green Light?

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SUMMARY

When illuminated with green light (~556nm), ruby (Cr:Al2O3) emits red light due to its photoluminescent properties. The emitted light is visible even while the green light source is active, as the ruby's fluorescence occurs simultaneously with the excitation. This phenomenon is similar to the operation of diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers, where the pump light remains on while the laser light is spectrally filtered by end mirrors. Therefore, the presence of the green light does not need to be removed to observe the red emission from the ruby.

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  • Understanding of photoluminescence in materials
  • Knowledge of ruby's chemical composition (Cr:Al2O3)
  • Familiarity with laser cavity design and operation
  • Basic principles of light absorption and emission
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  • Research the photoluminescent properties of other phosphors
  • Learn about the principles of laser operation, specifically diode-pumped lasers
  • Explore the spectral filtering techniques used in laser cavities
  • Investigate the effects of different wavelengths on various materials' emission spectra
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Physicists, materials scientists, and laser engineers interested in the optical properties of phosphors and their applications in laser technology.

Topher925
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If you have a phosphor such as ruby (Cr:Al2O3) and you excite it with a light source near its main pump band (~556nm) then you should see emit light with a difference in color from the source light, correct? For example if I shined a green light onto this piece a ruby, it should appear red should it not? Or, does the light source need to be removed in order to see the shifted emitted light? I know this is probably a stupid question but I really need a sanity check right now.
 
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Within a laser cavity, the pump light is always on; the endmirrors take care of spectrally filtering the laser light. Look at how diode-pumped Nd:YAGS are set up, for example.
 

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