New phases in the systems EuF2:YF3 and EuF2:GdF3

Isothermal pseudo-binary phase studies of the systems EuF₂:YF₃ and EuF₂:GdF₃ have been completed at 1100°C. Three single phase regions corresponding to (1) EuF₃(ss); (a) hexagonal tysonite and (3) orthorhombic LnF₃(ss), Ln = Y, Gd, have been found. The single phase regions for both of these systems are similar and exist at 0–39, 73–82 and 91–100 mole % YF₃; 0–41, 70–77 and 85–100 mole % GdF₃.     

Optical properties of Nd:NaLa (WO4)2 single crystal

Nd³⁺-doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ single crystal with a dimension of 20 mm × 40 mm and a good optical quality was grown by Czochralski method. The polarized absorption spectra and emission spectra were measured at room temperature. The absorption cross-section and emission cross-section were presented. The Judd–Ofelt theory, extended to anisotropic system, has been applied to evaluate the intensity parameters Ω_t (t = 2, 4, 6), radiative transition rates A, radiative lifetimes τ_R and fluorescent branching ratios β. The calculated radiative lifetime was compared with the experiment data for the ⁴F_3/2 emitting level. All spectral features are strongly affected by an inhomogeneous broadening connected with the ‘disordered crystal’ character of the title compound.     

Spectroscopic investigation of Nd ion in LiNbO3, MgO:LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 single crystals relevant for laser applications

The polarized absorption and luminescence properties of Nd³⁺ doped isostructural LiNbO₃, MgO:LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ nonlinear bulk single crystals are reported. Pump-probe experiments associated with the Judd-Ofelt approach are used to estimate two types of room temperature cross sections: polarized emission cross sections of the dominant ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_1//2 transition near 1085 and 1093 nm and polarized excited-state absorption cross sections in the same spectral domain and in the green spectral range corresponding to self frequency doubling. Self frequency-doubling results are also given in Nd:LiNbO₃ and Nd:MgO:LiNbO₃ versus sample temperature.     

Spectroscopic and laser properties of SrLaGa3O7:Pr crystals

The spectroscopic properties of trivalent praseodymium (Pr³⁺) doped SrLaGa₃O₇ (SLG) crystals have been investigated at various temperatures. Absorption, emission, excitation and lifetime measurements have been performed and discussed in the framework of the Judd-Ofelt approach. Stimulated emission cross sections for the strongest transitions of Pr³⁺ ion have been calculated. Stimulated emission has been observed for the first time in Pr³⁺ doped SLG crystal, we have obtained laser operation at 488 n, at cryogenic temperatures and at 645 nm at room temperature.     

Optical properties and energy transfer among Nd in Nd:Ca2Al2SiO7 crystals for diode pumped lasers

The energy levels of neodymium in the Nd³⁺:Ca₂Al₂SiO₇ (CAS) laser material with gehlenite structure are reported. As the Nd³⁺:Ca₂Al₂SiO₇ compound presents a broad absorption around 806 nm, it is a good candidate for diode pumped laser. The ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 and ⁴F_3/2→⁴I11/2 emission have been recorded and the fluorescence branching ratios calculated from the Judd-Ofelt analysis are 0.41 and 0.47 respectively. The emission cross section at 1.06 μm (⁴F_3/2→⁴I11/2 transition) is 5 × 10^-20 cm². The decay profiles of the Nd³⁺ emission have been analyzed for several Nd³⁺ concentrations using the kinetic microparameters related to the cross relaxation ( and R₀≈6 Å) and the energy migration probabilities ( ). In the Nd:CAS laser material, the optimal concentration corresponding to the maximum of the fluorescence intensity is determined to be around 2.7 × 10²⁰ Nd³⁺ ions cm^-3. The Nd³⁺-Nd³⁺ interactions are not very strong in this material as the optical concentration value is two times higher than in the Nd:YAG laser material.     

Spectroscopic behavior of Nd in a new microcrystalline ZnY4W3O16 tungstate

In the framework of systematic investigations of the optical properties of a new tungstate ZnY₄W₃O₁₆ in which Y³⁺ cations allow for rare-earth ions doping, the compounds doped with neodymium Nd³⁺ ion were synthesized, analyzed and considered as a possible laser material. The crystalline stoichiometric sample of the chemical formula ZnNd₄W₃O₁₆ and their yttrium diluted analogues 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mol% Nd³⁺-doped ZnY₄W₃O₁₆ were obtained by a solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction analysis as well as the IR spectra were used to the structural characterization of the compounds. Electron microscopy has been used to analyze the grain size, the presence of aggregates, and the type of boundary between the microcrystals. In order to study spectroscopic properties, the high resolution absorption and emission spectra at room and low temperature were measured in visible and IR regions. The radiative transition probabilities in those tungstates were calculated and analyzed. Based on the 4 K absorption spectra in the range of ⁴I_9/2 → ²P_1/2 transition the number of metal sites occupied by the dopants was determined. The strong fluorescent emission involving the ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2, ⁴I_11/2, ⁴I_13/2 transitions at 298 and 77 K were observed under pulsed laser and xenon lamp excitation. The dynamics of the Nd³⁺ excited states were characterized by decay times measurements and compared to earlier reported data for neodymium tungstates.     

Growth, thermal and optical properties of Yb:GdYAl3(BO3)4 crystal

Single crystal of Yb:GdYAl₃(BO₃)₄(Yb:GdYAB) has been grown by the flux method. The structure of Yb:GdYAB crystal has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The experiment show that the crystal has the same structure as that of YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal and its unit cell constants have been measured to be a = 9.30146 Å, c = 7.24164 Å, Vol = 542.59 Å³. The absorption and fluorescence spectrum of Yb:GdYAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal have also been measured at room temperature. In the absorption spectra, there are two absorption bands at 938 nm and 974 nm, respectively, which is suitable for InGaAs diode laser pumping. In the fluorescence spectra, there are two fluorescence peaks at 992 and 1040 nm. The thermal properties of Yb:GdYAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal have been studied for the first time. The thermal expansion coefficient along c-axis is almost 5.4 times larger than that along a-axis. The specific heat of the crystal has been measured to be 0.77 J/g °C at room temperature. The calculated thermal conductivity is 5.26 Wm⁻¹ K⁻¹ along a-direction.     

Growth and optical properties of Er,Yb:YAl3(BO3)4 crystal

Single crystal of erbium, ytterbium-codoped yttrium aluminum tetraborate Er,Yb:YAl₃(BO₃)₄(Er,Yb:YAB) has been grown by the flux method. The absorption spectrum in the visible and NIR regions of Er,Yb:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal are measured at room temperature and fluorescence spectrum of Er,Yb:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal are also measured at room temperature, excited by 976 nm laser. Not only the strong NIR emission peaks located at 1548 nm was observed, but also the visible up-conversion luminescence has been found. The specific heat of the Er/Yb:YAB crystal at room temperature is 0.81 J/g °C.     

Polarized spectroscopic properties of a potential self-frequency doubling crystal, Nd:BaCaBO3F

In this paper, the polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra of Nd³⁺ ion in the BaCaBO₃F non-linear optical crystal have been investigated at room temperature. The Judd-Ofelt theory, extended to anisotropic system, has been applied to calculate the phenomenological intensity parameters, spontaneous transition probabilities, branching ratios and radiative lifetimes. The maximum emission cross-sections have been calculated to be 7.22 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² and 15.21 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² at 1068 nm for π- and σ-polarization using the Füchtbauer-Ladenburg (F-L) equation. The fluorescence lifetime of ⁴F_3/2 manifold is equal to 57.7 μs, and the quantum efficiency is 26.8%, which is higher than those of most of other borates. The potential of Nd³⁺:BaCaBO₃F as a new self-frequency doubling laser crystal has also been evaluated preliminarily. Appreciable self-absorption at the second-harmonic wavelength of Nd³⁺:BaCaBO₃F crystal should be considered for further laser operations.     

Low energy inert gas ion scattering from GdF3, Gd2O3 and Gd2 (MoO4)3 surfaces: 1. Inelastic effects

Inelastic effects in the scattering of Ar-40, Ne-20 and He-4 ions from GdF₃ and Gd₂O₃ have been studied. Such effects give rise to the low energy ‘tail’ of the elastic peaks in ion surface scattering (ISS). Experimental data show that the extent of ‘tailing’ increases from Ar-40 to He-4. For each probe ion type, the background is significantly greater in GdF₃ than in Gd₂O₃. The significance of (1) surface structure, (2) the surface polarization model and ion surface scattering, and (3) electronic effects on this low energy background will be shown by discussing the present data as well as supplementary results on He-4 ion scattering from selected oxides and $\text{polar}$ surfaces of Gd₂ (MoO₄)₃.     

Spectroscopic properties of Eu-doped KLa(PO3)4 and LiLa(PO3)4 powders

KLa(PO₃)₄ (KLP) and LiLa(PO₃)₄ (LLP) doped with different concentrations of Eu³⁺ are grown by solid state reaction. The obtained powders are identified by X-ray diffraction, Raman and FT-IR spectroscopies. These polyphosphates KLa(PO₃)₄ and LiLa(PO₃)₄ crystallize in the monoclinic system but with different space groups respectively P2₁ and C2/c. The evolution of crystal lattice parameters as function of Eu³⁺ concentration in these host lattices was studied. Spectroscopic properties of the Eu³⁺-doped KLa(PO₃)₄ and LiLa(PO₃)₄ at room temperature (RT) are presented. The excitation spectra of the Eu³⁺ ion in condensed polyphosphates along the UV-Visible domain are registered. They show that the position of the charge transfer band (CTB) depends on the host lattices. The effect of structural characteristics of condensed polyphosphates on their optical and colorimetric properties was investigated for the first time. Colorimetric parameters of the Eu³⁺ ions red emission in KLP and LLP are determined and compared with other host matrices. Evolution of colorimetric properties as function of Eu³⁺concentration was discussed.     

Low threshold, diode end-pumped Nd:GdVO4 self-Raman laser

Low threshold, high efficient Raman laser output has been realized from a compact, diode end-pumped, self-stimulating Nd³⁺:GdVO₄ Raman laser. Maximum Raman output power of 100 mW was achieved at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 10 kHz with 1.8 W pump power. The optical efficiency is 5.6% from diode to Raman laser and the slope efficiency is 8%. The lowest threshold for the SRS process is only 400 mW at a PRF of 5 kHz. By generating second harmonics using a LBO crystal, 3 mW 588 nm yellow laser was also produced. A strong blue emission was observed in the Nd³⁺:GdVO₄ crystal when the Raman laser output, we contribute this for the upconversion of the Nd³⁺ in the crystal.     

Concentration effect of Nd ion on the spectroscopic properties of Er/Nd co-doped LiYF4 single crystal

High quality Er³⁺/Nd³⁺:LiYF₄ single crystals were grown by a Bridgman method. Their spectroscopic properties were studied to understand the Nd³⁺ concentration effect upon excitation of an 800 nm laser diode. The intensest 2.7 μm emission was observed in the LiYF₄ crystal codoped with 0.99 mol% Er³⁺ and 0.62 mol% Nd³⁺. Meanwhile, the emission intensity for the green up-conversion and 1.5 μm downconversion of Er³⁺ decreased with increasing of the Nd³⁺ concentration. The modified Inokuti–Hirayama model was used to analyze the decay curves of the 1.06 (Nd³⁺) and 1.5 (Er³⁺) μm emissions. The results indicated that the energy transfer process (Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 + Nd³⁺:⁴I_9/2 → Er³⁺:⁴I_15/2 + Nd³⁺:⁴I_15/2) is mainly due to the electric dipole–dipole interaction. The energy transfer efficiencies between Nd³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions were calculated. All results suggested that the Er³⁺/Nd³⁺:LiYF₄ single crystals may have potential applications in mid-infrared lasers.     

Effect of Calcium on Nd:GdVO4 single crystal

The Ca_0.08Gd_0.92VO₄ crystal and Nd-doped Ca_0.08Gd_0.92VO₄ crystals were grown by the Czochralski method; the lattice parameters of the crystals were determined by XRD. The results showed that substituting Nd³⁺ caused an increase in lattice parameter; the segregation coefficient of Nd³⁺ ions in the crystal is lower than that of Nd:GdVO₄ crystal; the absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, absorption cross-section and the emission cross-section of the Nd:Ca_0.08Gd_0.92VO₄ crystal were investigated at room temperature; furthermore, the Raman performance of Ca_0.08Gd_0.92VO₄ crystal was improved.     

Growth and spectroscopic properties of Er-doped Li3Ba2Y3(MoO4)8 crystal

Er³⁺:Li₃Ba₂Y₃(MoO₄)₈ crystal has been grown by the top seeded solution growth method (TSSG) from a flux of Li₂MoO₄ and its morphology was analyzed. The polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves of the crystal were measured. Based on the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory, spectroscopic parameters of Er³⁺:Li₃Ba₂Y₃(MoO₄)₈ crystal, including the oscillator intensity parameters Ω_t (t = 2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios, and radiative lifetimes were calculated and analyzed. Stimulated emission cross-sections of the ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition were estimated by the reciprocity method (RM) and the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg (F-L) formula. Five up-conversion fluorescence bands around 490, 530, 550, 660 and 800 nm were observed with 977 nm excitation, and the possible up-conversion mechanisms were proposed.     

Investigation of Nd ions spectroscopic and laser properties in SrF2 fluoride single crystal

The laser properties of SrF₂:Nd³⁺ crystal with neodymium ions concentration of 0.5 at.% were investigated under diode laser pumping. Using temperature tuning of laser diode pumping wavelength two different lines centered at about 1037 nm and 1044 nm attributed to oscillation of different optical centers were obtained. The maximum lasing slope efficiency of 37% was obtained. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of different individual and clustered Nd³⁺ ions optical centers were observed depending on Nd³⁺ concentration. The lifetimes of the high symmetry L-centers were measured and found to be two orders of magnitude longer than that for clustered M-centers at room temperature. The lifetimes of M-centers at different temperatures were measured and microparameter of ion-ion interaction in Nd-pairs was determined.     

Spectroscopic evidence of inhomogeneous distribution of Nd in YVO4, YPO4 and YAsO4 crystals

Nd³⁺ : YVO₄ is one of the most interesting laser hosts for micro and diode-pumped solid state lasers. We have studied magnetic and optical properties of Nd³⁺ in three zircon type crystals YMO₄ (M=V, As, P). In particular, Nd³⁺ ions exhibit in the three hosts a multisite character observed in the absorption and emission spectra. However, the emission and its dynamics are strongly dependant on the reabsorption mechanisms. In Nd : YVO₄, single crystals containing 7 ± 1 × 10¹⁸ Nd³⁺ ions/cm³, the lifetime is 95 ± 2 μs in good agreement with the calculated radiative lifetime. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) measurements are performed to identify the nature of the different substitution sites for Nd³⁺ ions. Nd³⁺ ions are found to be inhomogeneously distributed in tetragonal D_2d symmetry sites, in isolated ions, “shallow clusters” and pairs. Proportions of the different local environments depend on the total neodymium concentration. For instance, 15% of the Nd³⁺ ions are gathered in Nd³⁺–Nd³⁺ pairs for 7.2 ± 0.2 × 10¹⁹ Nd³⁺ ions/cm³.     

Optical properties of Nd-doped Ca3(VO4)2 single crystal fiber

Optical absorption and photoluminescence of Ca₃(VO₄)₂ single crystal grown by a floating-zone technique and containing Nd³⁺ ions were investigated. High absorption coefficients and broadening of most absorption bands are present at 300 K, while substructures in some of the same bands can be evidenced at 12 K. Most features of measured spectra are characteristic of random occupation of more than a single Ca²⁺ site by the Nd³⁺ ion and of distortions provoked by different charge compensation mechanisms involving oxygen vacancies promotion in the crystal lattice. Nd³⁺ optical properties were studied by using the Judd-Ofelt theory to calculate the spectral parameters relevant for laser applications.     

Crystal growth and scintillation properties of Nd:CaF2

Nd³⁺ doped CaF₂ single crystal scintillator has been investigated. We tried to grow 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% Nd³⁺ doped CaF₂ single crystals by the simple melt-solidifying method. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were measured to identify the phase of all the samples. The XRD patterns of all the samples were similar to CaF₂. Those samples are compared in terms of their X-ray-excited radioluminescence spectra, transmittance, α-ray-excited decay time and light yield. When the X-ray is used for excitation, luminescence is observed in the VUV region. Transmittance of the crystals is more than 70% at wavelengths longer than about 180 nm. In the decay kinetics, the fast components of the samples are distributed in less than 25 ns time range and the slow components of sample are distributed in more than 90 ns. These decay times became shorter with increasing Nd³⁺ concentration. They are related to the Nd³⁺ 5d-4f VUV emission. The light yields of samples are distributed in 5-2500 photon/5.5 MeV α-ray and decrease with increasing Nd³⁺ concentration.     

Nd optical multisites in the Ca3(Nb,Ga)2Ga3O12 laser garnet crystal

Laser excited site-selective luminescence of Nd³⁺ ion in the Ca₃(Nb,Ga)₂Ga₃O₁₂ garnet crystal has been investigated for the and transitions. Six main non-equivalent crystal field sites were detected in the garnet. The crystal splitting scheme of the and manifolds was obtained for each Nd³⁺ site. Energy transfer between Nd³⁺ sites was observed by using time resolved spectroscopy.