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.