Luminescence enhancement in (Nd+Ce) doped SiO2 : Al2O3 sol–gel glasses

An enhancement in NIR luminescence from Nd³⁺-doped Ce³⁺ co-doped SiO₂+Al₂O₃ sol–gel glasses has been observed. The lasing transition (⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2) at 1072 nm from the dual rare-earth Nd³⁺+Ce³⁺-doped glasses has shown an emission strength of about five times that of the single rare-earth ion Nd³⁺-doped glass. From the measurement of lifetimes of the transition at 1072 nm, the transfer rate (W_tr), critical distance (R₀) and energy transfer efficiency (η) of the neodymium glasses have been calculated.     

The optical properties and laser characteristics of Cr and Nd co-doped Y3Al5O12 ceramics

We have fabricated Cr³⁺ and Nd³⁺ co-doped YAG (Cr;Nd:YAG) ceramics, and investigated their optical properties and laser characteristics. The Cr;Nd:YAG has two broad absorption bands at around 440 nm (⁴A₂→⁴T₁) and 600 nm (⁴A₂→⁴T₂) respectively, caused by Cr³⁺ ions. In the case of pumping at 440 nm, the maximum effective lifetime of the Cr;Nd:YAG was 737 μs with a 0.1 at% Cr³⁺ and 1.0 at% Nd³⁺ co-doped YAG sample. Cr³⁺ ions take a role of an effective sensitizer to convert the UV light of flashlamp. For single-shot laser operation, a 10.4 J output energy at 1064 nm was obtained with 0.1 at% Cr³⁺ and 1.0 at% Nd³⁺ co-doped YAG ceramic rod with a laser efficiency of 4.9%. The laser efficiency was found to be more than twice that of a 1.0 at % Nd³⁺:YAG ceramic rod.     

Infrared and visible emission of Er in combustion-synthesized CaAl2O4 phosphors

New near-infrared luminescent, monoclinic CaAl₂O₄:Er³⁺ phosphor was prepared by using the combustion route at furnace temperatures as low as 500 °C in a few minutes. Combustion synthesized phosphor has been well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) mapping studies. The luminescence spectra of Er³⁺-doped calcium aluminate were studied at UV (380 nm), vis (488 nm) and IR (980 nm) excitation. Upon UV and vis excitation, the CaAl₂O₄:Er³⁺ phosphor exhibits emission bands at ~523 nm and at ~547 nm, corresponding to transitions from the ²H_11/2 and ⁴S_3/2 erbium levels to the ⁴I_15/2 ground state. A strong luminescence at 1.55 μm in the infrared (IR) region due to ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition has been observed in CaAl₂O₄:Er³⁺ phosphor upon 980 nm CW pumping. In the spectrum of IR-excited up-conversion luminescence, green (~523 and ~547 nm) and red (662 nm) luminescence bands were present, the latter associated with the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions. Both excited state absorption and energy transfer may be proposed as processes responsible for the population of the ⁴S_3/2 and ⁴F_9/2 erbium levels upon IR excitation. The mechanisms responsible for the up-conversion luminescence are discussed.     

The effects of Li on the near-infrared luminescence properties of Nd/ Li codoped Y2O3 nanocrystals

Nd³⁺/ Li⁺ codoped Y₂O₃ nanocrystals were synthesized by glycine combustion method. The codoping of Li⁺ ions can lead to about twice enhancement of the near-infrared luminescence for the three spectral regions, which correspond to the ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2, ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2 channels of Nd³⁺. The enhancement could be attributed to the improved morphology, the modification of the local symmetry around Nd³⁺ ions and the reducing number of OH⁻ groups by codoping with Li⁺ ions.     

Physical, structural, and luminescence studies of Nd3+ doped MgO-ZnO borate glass

A series of borate glass of the system xNd₂O₃-5MgO-20ZnO-(75 ? x)B₂O₃, where x = 0.5, 1.0,1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 was successfully fabricated using melt quench method. The properties of the glass were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), absorption and luminescence spectra. The upconversion properties of Nd³⁺ doped borate glass were observed by using 574 nm excitation wavelength corresponding to ⁴ I _15/2 → ² H _114/2 transition. The emission bands centered at 460, 500 and 620 nm which corresponding to the Nd³⁺ transitions, ⁴ F _7/2 → ⁴ I _15/2, ² H _11/2 → ⁴ I _15/2, and ⁴ F _9/2 → ⁴ I _15/2 respectively were observed at room temperature. The presence of Nd³⁺ in borate based glass could intensify the upconversion luminescence spectra as it can potentially be used as host materials for upconversion lasers.     

Spectral properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in samples of transparent Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

The spectral and luminescent characteristics of samples of Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ ceramics obtained from different precursors under different preparation conditions (the concentration of an HfO₂ compacting additive, the temperature and time of synthesis) are studied at 300 and 77 K. It is shown that the spectral positions of absorption and luminescence lines of ceramics correspond to those of a Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ single crystal. At the same time, the absorption and luminescence spectra show an inhomogeneous broadening, characteristic of disordered crystals and glass. The energies of the ⁴ I _9/2 and ⁴ F _3/2 Stark states of the Nd³⁺ ion are calculated. The calculation results nearly coincide with the data from the literature for the Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ single crystal and transparent ceramics. Samples containing the compacting additive show additional lines, whose intensities correlate with its concentration and the method of preparation of Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ ultradispersed powders. It is assumed that these lines are related to the fact that either Nd³⁺ ions enter the composition of the HfO₂ compacting additive or Hf⁴⁺ ions are present in the nearest environment of Nd³⁺ ions at the boundaries of granules enriched with HfO₂.     

Laser spectroscopy of Nd and Dy ions in lead borate glasses

The spectroscopic and laser properties of Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions in lead borate glass were studied. Luminescence spectra recorded in the near-infrared and visible ranges correspond to ⁴F_3/2-⁴I_J/2 (J=9, 11, 13) transitions of Nd³⁺ and ⁴F_9/2-⁶H_J/2 (J=11, 13, 15) transitions of Dy³⁺, respectively. Luminescence decay curves were analyzed as a function of activator concentration. Luminescence quenching is observed, which is due to Ln-Ln interaction increasing. Several spectroscopic parameters relevant to laser potential of Ln³⁺ ions (Ln=Nd, Dy) in lead borate glass were determined. The relatively large values of the quantum efficiency and the room-temperature emission cross-section for the ⁴F_3/2-⁴I_11/2 transition of Nd³⁺ at 1061 nm and the ⁴F_9/2-⁶H_13/2 transition of Dy³⁺ at 573 nm imply that Ln-doped lead borate glasses can be considered as promising solid-state materials for laser applications.     

Nd3+ near UV and visible fluorescence in YAP:Nd

The present paper summarizes detailed investigations of Nd³⁺ fluorescence spectra in YAP:Nd laser crystal in the broad spectral range of 370–1100 nm at liquid nitrogen temperature. Especially, Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence spectra were studied for the first time in this crystal. The Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence spectra of this crystal consist of many narrow lines (up to 50). The Nd³⁺ near UV and visible fluorescence lines arise mainly from⁴D_3/2 and²P_3/2 Nd³⁺ terms (transitions from⁴D_3/2,²P_3/2 to lower lying Nd³⁺ levels are responsible for their appearance). At room temperature the fluorescence spectra consist of broad bands with narrow lines (mainly⁴D_3/2⁴F_3/2,⁴F_5/2 and²H_9/2 transitions).     

Spectroscopy and energy balance of the Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> selective emission upon the laser thermal excitation

The laser thermal melting of powders is used to fabricate selective emitters (SEs) that represent Nd₂O₃ and Y₂O₃-Nd₂O₃ polycrystals on quartz holders. The SEs are stable under atmospheric conditions upon multiple heating by laser radiation up to the melting point. The spectral shape and integral intensity of the selective heat radiation (SHR) of the Nd₂O₃ microcrystalline powder and the Nd₂O₃ and Y₂O₃-Nd₂O₃ polycrystals are experimentally studied in the near-IR and visible spectral ranges versus the intensity of the laser thermal excitation at a wavelength of 10.6 μm in comparison with the absorption and luminescence spectra of the YAG:Nd³⁺ and YAlO₃:Nd³⁺ single crystals. The SHR spectra are determined by the vibronic transitions between the electronic states ² G _7/2-⁴F_3/2 ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴I_9/2 of the Nd³⁺ ions that are thermally excited due to the multiphonon transitions from the ground state. The energy balance of the SE laser thermal heating is experimentally investigated. The coefficient of the laser energy conversion to the Nd³⁺ SHR is measured, and the emissivity of the SEs that can be used for the study of the thermophotovoltaic generators and the optical excitation of the laser-active media in the near-IR spectral range is estimated.     

Thermal and optical properties of Nd3+:SrWO4: a potential candidate for eye-safe 1.517 μm Raman lasers

Nd³⁺ doped SrWO₄ single crystal with a dimension of ϕ 30 mm×80 mm and a good optical quality was grown by Czochralski method. The refractive indices in a function of wavelength and the principal coefficient of thermal expansion were precisely measured. The three principal coefficients of thermal expansion along (001), (010), (100) are 2.39×10^-5 °C^-1, 1.09×10^-5 °C^-1, and 0.97×10^-5 °C^-1, respectively. In the framework of the Judd–Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters, radiative probabilities, radiative branching ratios and radiative lifetime were calculated. We also present end-pumped self-stimulated Raman scattering in the two laser channels ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 and ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_13/2 to generate 1.18 and 1.52 μm Self-stimulated Raman scattering radiations, the latter being close to the eye-safe domain. This material is a potential material for eye-safe Raman lasers.PACS 78.55.Hx; 42.70.Hj     

Photothermally Induced Bistability of Emission of Yb-doped Ca4NdO(BO3)3 Single Crystals

We report on studies of changes in the emission spectra (excited at 808 nm) of the Yb-doped Ca₄NdO(BO₃)₃ single crystals due to the photothermal effects caused by the pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Increase of the sample's surface temperature after laser treatment leads to significant enhancement of the 1040 to 1060 nm emission (ascribed to the Nd^{3+ 4}F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2, ⁴I_11/2 transitions) and simultaneous decrease of the 975 to 1050 nm emission (corresponding to the Yb^{3+ 2}F_5/2 → ²F_7/2 transition). We explain such an increase of the Nd³⁺ luminescence by thermally activated Yb³⁺ → Nd³⁺ energy transfer.     

Photoluminescence in YbGa2Se4 and YbGa2Se4:Nd3+ single crystals

The excitation and photoluminescence spectra of YbGa₂Se₄ and YbGa₂Se₄:Nd³⁺ single crystals recorded at different temperatures and neodymium concentrations have been investigated. The photoluminescence spectrum exhibits intracenter luminescence lines of the Nd³⁺ ion in wavelength ranges of 0.804?C0.84, 0.88?C0.92, 0.96?C0.996, and 1.06?C1.12 ??m against a broadband emission background. These ranges are related, respectively, to the ⁴ F _5/2-⁴ I _9/2, ⁴ F _3/2-⁴ I _9/2, ⁴ F _5/2-⁴ I _11/2, and ⁴ F _3/2-⁴ I _11/2 transitions.     

Nd3+ → Yb3+ energy transfer in a codoped metaphosphate glass as a model for Yb3+ laser operation around 980 nm

A complete spectroscopic investigation of a metaphosphate glass with composition Pb(PO₃)₂ doped with various amounts of Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ (1 up to 10 at.%) is reported. Efficient Nd³⁺ → Yb³⁺ energy transfers occur both radiatively and non-radiatively, the latter being dominant and partly resonant and partly phonon-assisted by phonons of the order of 950 cm⁻¹, which fits well with the reported Raman spectrum of the material. These transfers mainly concern the ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 emission and the ²F_7/2 → ²F_5/2 absorption transitions of the Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions around 900 nm, respectively. They are analysed both via spectral and temporal data. The results show that about 5% Nd³⁺ and 5% Yb³⁺ ions have to be incorporated to reach energy transfers exceeding about 65%, which is in agreement with data recently reported in the case of a YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal. Simulations based on the obtained data show that laser thresholds of a few tens of mW should be easily attainable by operating the materials in a channel waveguide configuration.     

New Crystalline Lasers on the Base of Monoclinic KR(W04)2:Ln3+ Tungstates (R=Y and Ln)

Monoclinic KY(WO₄)₂:Pr₃₊, Tm₃₊:KY(WO₄)₂:Er₃₊, Yb₃₊ single crystals are grown by low-gradient Czochralski technique. Stimulated emission at 1.0223μm wavelength in the new lasing ¹D₂→³F₃ channel of Pr³⁺ ions in KY(WO₄)₂ at room temperature under Xe-flashlamp pumping is excited. Full sets of Stark-level energies for Pr₃₊ ions in KY(WO₄)2 and KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals at 77 K are determined. 4f²-4f² intensity-transitions for the KY(WO₄)₂:Pr³⁺ are analyzed preliminarily. All observed at present and earlier one-micron Pr³⁺-ion, induced transitions in the ¹D₂→³F₃ and ¹D₂→³F₄ channels are identified. In yttrium and gadolinium sensitized-tungstates a two-micron (³H₄→³H₆) low-threshold generation of Tm³⁺ ions at cryogenic temperatures is achieved.All authors cooperate with the Joint Open Laboratory for Laser Crystals and Precise Laser Systems at the Institute of Crystallography and Institute of Laser Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences.     

Absorption and luminescence of Nd3+:Y3Al5O12

In this paper there are briefly summarized the results of our experimental measurements of the fluorescence spectra, originating in levels of the⁴ F _3/2 term and terminating on the first two terms of the⁴I multipet, and the results of the absorption spectra at room temperature (RT) and at liquid-nitrogen temperature (NT) from which Nd³⁺: Y₃Al₅O₁₂ energy-level diagram was determined. Further, using the splitting of the⁴F_3/2,⁴F_5/2 and⁴F_7/2 terms the crystal-field parameters were calculated.     

Spectroscopy and self-frequency doubling of the 4F3/2?→?4I13/2 laser channel in the La2CaB10O19:Nd3+ bi-functional crystal

Nd_xLa_2-xCaB₁₀O₁₉ crystals with different Nd³⁺ concentrations were grown by the high-temperature flux method and oriented for frequency doubling of 1340 nm wavelength radiation. The room temperature spectroscopy (absorption, emission and lifetimes) of the ⁴ F _3/2 → ⁴ I _13/2 Nd³⁺ laser channel was investigated. We have clearly shown that two inequivalent Nd³⁺ centers in the La³⁺ and Ca²⁺ positions are responsible for the spectroscopic properties. Self-frequency doubling can be obtained from these two centers at 661.1 and 671.5 nm. PACS 42.55.f; 42.65.Ky     

Upconverted VUV luminescence of Nd and Er doped into LiYF4 crystals under XeF-laser excitation

The upconverted VUV (185 nm) and UV (230 and 260 nm) luminescence due to 5d-4f radiative transitions in Nd³⁺ ions doped into a LiYF₄ crystal has been obtained under excitation by 351/353 nm radiation from a XeF excimer laser. The maximum upconversion efficiency, defined as the ratio of intensity for 5d-4f luminescence to overall intensity for 5d-4f and 4f-4f luminescence from the ⁴D_3/2 Nd³⁺ level, has been estimated to be about 70% under optimal focusing conditions for XeF laser radiation. A redistribution of intensity between three main components of 5d-4f Nd³⁺ luminescence is observed under changing the excitation power density, which favors the most long-wavelength band (260 nm) at higher excitation density level. The effect is interpreted as being due to excited state absorption of radiation emitted. The upconverted VUV and UV luminescence from the high-lying ²F(2)_7/2 4f level of Er³⁺ doped into a LiYF₄ crystal has also been obtained under XeF-laser excitation the most intense line being at 280 nm from the spin-allowed transition to the ²H(2)_11/2 4f level of Er³⁺, but the efficiency of upconversion for Er³⁺ emission is low, less than 5%.     

Continuous-wave dual-wavelength operation at 1062 and 1338 nm in Nd:YAl3(BO3)4 and observation of yellow laser light generation at 592 nm by their self-sum-frequency-mixing

We report simultaneous oscillation in continuous wave at 1062 and 1337 nm in a Nd³⁺:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ nonlinear crystal associated to the infrared laser channels ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_13/2 of Nd³⁺. Generation of yellow laser light at 592 nm produced by Type I self-sum-frequency-mixing of both fundamental infrared laser waves is observed under non-optimal phase matching conditions.     

Stimulated emission and radiative properties of Nd ions in barium fluorophosphate glass containing sulphate

Spectroscopic properties of Nd³⁺ in barium fluorophosphate glassy matrix containing sulphate have been analysed by fitting the experimental data with the standard Judd-Ofelt theory. Various spectroscopic parameters viz. radiative transition probabilities, radiative decay time, fluorescence branching ratios, electric dipole line strengths, stimulated emission cross sections and optical gain of the principal fluorescence transition from the ⁴F_3/2 metastable level are obtained. Results show that addition of sulphate to the fluorophosphate matrix will enhance the fluorescence spectral properties of Nd³⁺ considerably. Quantum efficiency of the ⁴F_3/2 emission is found to be higher than that of fluorophosphate glasses and stimulated emission cross section of the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 transition is the highest among all reported values. Quantitative estimation of the non-radiative processes such as multiphonon relaxation and quenching by water content was carried out and the results show that the water content is below the critical level for optimum laser performance.     

Continuous-wave high-power Nd:YAG-KNbO3 laser at 473 nm

A continuous-wave high-power Nd:YAG laser operating on the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 transition at 946 nm and intracavity frequency-doubled to 473 nm by a KNbO₃ nonlinear crystal at room temperature is reported. The Nd:YAG laser outputs a randomly polarized beam of 3.8 W maximum power (38% optical-to-optical efficiency and 44% slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power) at the 946 nm fundamental wavelength. Intracavity frequency-doubling with a 2.0-mm thick KNbO₃ crystal in a linear resonator yielded 159-mW single-ended blue-output with 4.8% optical-to-optical conversion efficiency versus the absorbed pump power. The 473-nm maximum power of 418 mW with 11.6% optical-to-optical conversion efficiency in absorbed power was obtained from a V-type resonator; the overall optical-to-optical conversion efficiency was 6.7%, while the conversion of the available infrared power reached 50%.