Laser cooling of solids containing local centers with electric dipole allowed transitions: a feasibility study

Abstract Various insulating materials containing local centers with electric dipole allowed transitions were studied under excitation in the long-wavelength tail of the absorption spectrum (“laser cooling regime”). Though no actual cooling was detected, spectra with a strong anti-Stokes component were observed which demonstrate the possibility to employ electron–phonon bands of electric dipole allowed transitions for optical refrigeration. The mechanisms responsible for the absence of observable optical refrigeration are discussed.