A 
solid state, 
laser light control device (20, 30) and material (10), and methods of producing same. The device (20, 30) and material (10) consist essentially of a 
host material (14) which contains: a 
dopant species (16) at a first valence state (a), the concentration of which increases with distance from the surface (18); and the same 
dopant species (16) at a second valence state (b), the concentration which decreases with distance from the surface (18). The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a doped 
solid state material (14); exposing the 
solid state material (14) to elevated temperature, for a period of time, in an oxidizing or 
reducing atmosphere. The elevated temperature and time of 
exposure are selected to change the valence state (a) of the 
dopant (16) in direct proportion to distance from the surface (18) of the 
solid state material (16). What is thereby produced is a 
solid state device (20, 30) in which the concentration of the dopant 16 at the second valence state (b) decreases with 
radius, the concentration of the dopant (16) at the first valence state (a) increases with 
radius, and the sum of these concentrations remains constant.