Intracavity second-harmonic generation of 1.06 μm in GdCa4O(BO3)3 crystals

The characteristics of intracavity second-harmonic generation (SHG) at 1.06 μm in GdCa₄O(BO₃)₃ (GdCOB) crystals cut for different type I phase-matching (PM) directions of (θ,φ)=(66.8°, 132.3°); (19.4°, 0°); (90°, 46°) have been investigated. It was found that the intracavity SHG was significantly efficient in the PM direction of (66.8°, 132.3°), and that the intrinsic lower effective nonlinear coefficient (d_eff) was responsible for the less-efficient SHG in the other two directions. A maximum CW SHG output power of 2.81 W was obtained with an optical conversion efficiency of 18.7%, while the corresponding effective intracavity SHG efficiency was determined to be 41.3%. The intracavity SHG efficiency of GdCOB has been found to reach two-thirds of that obtained with type II phase-matching KTiOPO₄ (KTP). Received: 26 April 2000 / Revised version: 3 July 2000 / Published online: 5 October 2000     

Studies on the SFD Properties of NdxGd1-xCa4O(BO3)3 Solid-solution Crystal

NdxGd1-xCa4O(BO3)3 (NdGdCOB) is a new self-frequency-doubling (SFD) solid-solution crystal. The second-harmonic generation (SHG) phase-matching (PM) curves were calculated by using refractive indices. The deff of NdGdCOB crystal along different PM directions were calculated according to the sellmeier equation and dijk data in which the (θ=66.8°, φ=132.6°) PM direction has the highest deff. SFD experiments were carried out with Ti:sapphire CW laser and pulsed dye-laser. A green laser output power up to 225 mW at 530 nm was achieved from a 7×3×3 mm3 crystal sample pumped by 1560 mW CW Ti:sapphire laser. The lasing threshold of SFD was lower than 1.8 mW along the PM direction (66.8°,132.6°). The optical-optical conversion efficiency was 14.4%. The conversion efficiency was 7.7% when 10×3×3 mm3 sample was side-pumped by the pulsed dye-laser tuned to 595.4 nm with 17.5 mJ energy and the lasing threshold is 1.2 mJ.     

Studies on the SFD Properties of Nd_xGd_(1-x)Ca_4O(BO_3)_3 Solid-solution Crystal

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Surface reaction kinetics in oxygen nonstoichiometry re-equilibration of BaTiO3−δ

We report the (bare) surface redox-reaction rate constant that was determined, along with the chemical diffusivity , by a conductivity relaxation technique on Al-doped single crystal and undoped polycrystal BaTiO_3−δ as a function of oxygen activity in its range of −16≤log a_O2≤0 at elevated temperatures of 800–1100 °C. It takes a value in the range of −4<log( /cm s⁻¹)≤−1, which is even larger than that of the oxides that are considered best as oxygen membranes. It has been found that the surface reaction step grows more rate controlling as the electronic transference number gets smaller or the electronic stoichiometric composition (δ≈0) is approached. The oxygen potential drop due to the surface reaction was estimated by an oxygen concentration cell technique. The oxygen potential drop grows larger as the stoichiometric composition is approached, that is in accord with the variation of against oxygen activity.     

The insertion of magnesium into α-U3O8

The chemical and electrochemical insertion of magnesium into α-U₃O₈ was achieved at ambient and elevated temperatures with the topochemical formation of a product Mg_xU₃O₈ (0<x<0.65). Galvanometric discharges in both non-aqueous and aqueous cells show the existence of two single phase regions at 0.20≤x≤0.27 and x≥0.40. These regions shifted to higher x-values when the discharge was performed at 100°C with DMF as the electrolyte solvent. A fcc phase (a ≈ 5.42 Å) was identified in the cathodic products when cells were discharged beyond x ≈ 0.65. This could be related to the known high temperature fluorite phase Mg_xU_1−xO_2±y. Equilibrium potential measurements were made to determine the integral free energy of magnesium insertion. Kinetic measurements showed magnesium diffusivity in Mg_xU₃O₈ to be three to four orders of magnitude less than that for lithium in the compound Li_xU₃O₈.     

Investigation on intracavity second-harmonic generation of a new Li-doped GdCa4O(BO3)3 crystal

Efficient intracavity second-harmonic generation (SHG) has been realized in a new Li-doped GdCa₄O(BO₃)₃ (GdCOB) crystal. 2.55 W CW SHG output power was obtained with an optical conversion efficiency of 19.6%, while the effective intracavity SHG efficiency was determined to be 44%. Compared to that of undoped GdCOB crystal, the effective SHG efficiency of the Li-doped GdCOB crystal was found to increase by 12.5%.     

Anisotropy of second-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities of arsenic triiodide-sulfur addition complex: AsI3 · 3S8

We report the anisotropic linear and second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of arsenic triiodide-octa-sulfur (1:3) adduct, AsI₃ · 3S₈, which spontaneously crystallizes in the trigonal rhombohedral non-centrosymmetric space group R3m. The trigonal symmetry of the AsI₃ · 3S₈ molecule coincides with the crystal symmetry. The crystals are optically uniaxial with n_o/n_e of about 1.2 and show dichroism at the UV-visible wavelengths. Second harmonic generation (SHG) tensor elements were determined from Maker fringes measured with an Nd:YAG laser (∼10 ns pulse, 1064 nm). The coefficient d_222,eff = 32.0 pm/V for the light polarized parallel to the layers of iodine and sulfur atoms in the AsI₃ · 3S₈ crystal ab plane is markedly larger than d₃₃₃ = 11.6 pm/V for the polarization of light parallel to the crystal c axis. The anisotropy parameter, defined as the d_222,eff/d₃₃₃ ratio, is about 2.7 for the AsI₃ · 3S₈ crystal, smaller than that for the isomorphous CHI₃ · 3S₈ crystal (7.3) but larger than for the SbI₃ · 3S₈ crystal (0.7). Highly anisotropic components of the first hyperpolarizability tensor of an AsI₃ · 3S₈ molecule, β, were derived from the quadratic nonlinear susceptibility tensor of the crystal.     

Passively Q-switched self-frequency doubling Nd:Ca4GdO(BO3)3 laser with Cr:YAG saturable absorber

Nd³⁺ : Ca₄GdO(BO₃)₃, known as Nd : GdCOB, is a new self-frequency doubling laser crystal. Using Cr⁴⁺ : YAG as passive Q-switch, we have realized the Q-switched laser running at 0.53 μm with an Nd : GdCOB crystal. Meanwhile, the pulse width, the single pulse energy and the repetition rate under different small-signal transmission of Cr⁴⁺ : YAG and different pump conditions are measured and the numerical solutions of the coupling wave rate equations agree with the experimental results.     

Magnetische untersuchungen an mischkristallen der quasibinären legierungssysteme (Cd Te)1-x (Mn Te)x und (Sn Te)1-x (Mn Te)x

The magnetic susceptibility and magnetization are presented for polycrystalline samples of the alloy systems Cd_1-xMn_xTe 0 < x 0.1 and Sn_1-xMn_xTe 0 < 4 0.4. The magnetic measurements were performed between 2.3 K and 300 K in external magnetic fields up to 11 kOe. At sufficiently high temperatures the susceptibility can be described by a Curie-Weiss law. In the system Sn_1-xMn_xTe θ_p is positive. A linear dependence θ_p ∞ x was found with θ_p(0.4) = 49 K. In the series Cd_1-xMn_xTe θ_p changes sign. For θ < x < 0.04 θ_p is positive with a maximum θ_p ≈ 10 K at x = 0.02. In the region x #62; 0.04 θ_p becomes negative with θ_p = -35 K at x = 0.1. The effective spin value of manganese is S_eff #62; 5/2 for all the samples. The investigation was done to check the assumption that ferromagnetic coupling may exist in tellurides of manganese if the shortest distance d_MnMn is greater than 3.4 Å. This hypothesis has been stated. In the case θ_p #62; 0 the results are partly explained by the RKKY exchange coupling.     

Electrical properties of perovskite-type La(Cr1−xMnx)O3+δ

Perovskite-type La(Cr_1−xMn_x)O_3+δ (0.0x1.0) was synthesized using a sol–gel process. The crystal structure of La(Cr_1−xMn_x)O_3+δ changes from orthorhombic to rhombohedral at x=0.6. The Mn⁴⁺ ion content increases monotonically in the range 0.2x1.0. The magnetic measurement of La(Cr_1−xMn_x)O_3+δ indicates that a Mn³⁺ ion is a high-spin state with (d)³(dγ)¹. The variation of the average (Cr, Mn)-O distance is explained by ionic radii of the Cr³⁺, the Mn³⁺, the Mn⁴⁺ ions. Since the log σT–1/T curve is linear and the Seebeck coefficient (α) is independent of temperature, it is considered that La(Cr_1−xMn_x)O_3+δ is a p-type semiconductor and exhibits the hopping conductivity.     

Weak ferromagnetism in BiFeO3 doped with titanium

The Bi_1−xA_xFe_1−xTi_xO₃ (A—Ca, Sr, Pb, Ba) and BiFe_1−xTi_xO_3+δ systems have been studied using X-ray, neutron powder diffraction and magnetization measurements in a magnetic field up to 14 T. It was found that all Bi_1−xA_xFe_1−xTi_xO₃ solid solutions are rhombohedral up to x=0.3. In the case of BiFe_1−xTi_xO_3+δ the rhombohedral distortion preserved up to x=0.11. A homogeneous weakly ferromagnetic state was found for Bi_1−xCa_xFe_1−xTi_xO₃ (0.15≤x≤0.25) and BiFe_1−xTi_xO_3+δ (0.06≤x≤0.11), probably due to magnetoelectric interactions, whereas Bi_1−xA_xFe_1−xTi_xO₃ (A—Sr, Pb, Ba) compounds above doping level x>0.1 seem to be collinear antiferromagnets.     

Millimeter-Wave and High-Resolution Infrared Spectra of Monoisotopic SCSe: Equilibrium, Ground State, and ν1, mν2, and nν3 Rovibrational Parameters

The Fourier transform infrared spectrum of monoisotopic SC⁸⁰Se has been investigated in the ν₂, ν₃, 2ν₂, 2ν₃, and ν₁ regions with a resolution between 3 and 4 × 10⁻³ cm⁻¹. In addition, the millimeter-wave spectrum has been studied in the region 150 to 320 GHz, and ground and ν₂ = 1 excited state transitions have been measured. Ground state constants, B₀ = 2043.285 4(4) MHz and D₀ = 146.53(5) Hz, have been determined from a merge of millimeter-wave data and ground state combination differences spanning J values up to 77 and 143, respectively. The band centers ν₂ = 352.341 075(9) cm⁻¹ and ν₃ = 505.480 06(5)cm⁻¹ have been determined. The rovibrational parameters of numerous overtone and combination levels (ν₁ν^l2₂ν₃) = 02⁰0, 02²0, 03¹0, 03³0, 04⁰0, 04²0, 00⁰2, and 00⁰3 have been obtained from polynomial analyses whose standard deviations ranged from 0.7 to 3.5 × 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹. The 10⁰0 level, ν_eff 1435.840 cm⁻¹, is anharmonically perturbed by the 04⁰0 level, with an avoided crossing at J = 55, and W₁₂₂₂₂ = 0.963 09(1) cm⁻¹. Transitions to both the upper (E⁺) and lower (E⁻) sublevels of the dyad were observed for 1 ≤ J′ ≤ 117 and 4 ≤ J′ ≤ 171, respectively, and the deperturbed wavenumbers ν₁ = 1435.542 76(2) and 4ν⁰₂ = 1432.725 00(3) cm⁻¹ were derived. Furthermore, a local crossing of the E⁻ and 04²0 levels involving l-type resonance was observed at J = 91.     

The bending energy levels of C2H2

Absorption spectra of C₂H₂ have been recorded between 50 and 1450 cm⁻¹, with a resolution always better than 0.005 cm⁻¹, using two different Fourier transform spectrometers. Analysis of the data provided two sets of results. First, the bending levels with Σ_t V_t(t = 4, 5) ≤ 2 were characterized by a coherent set of 34 parameters derived from the simultaneous analysis of 15 bands, performed using a matrix Hamiltonian. The following main parameters were obtained (in cm⁻¹): ω₄⁰ = 608.985196(14), ω₅⁰ = 729.157564(10); B₀ = 1.17664632(18), α₄ = −1.353535(86) × 10⁻³, α₅ = −2.232075(40) × 10⁻³; q₄⁰ = 5.24858(12) × 10⁻³, and q₅⁰ = 4.66044(12) × 10⁻³, with the errors (1σ) on the last quoted digit. Second, a more complete set of bending levels with Σ_t V_t ≤ 4, some of which have never previously been reported, and also including V₂ = 1 have been fitted to 80 parameters. This simultaneous fit involved 43 bands and used the same full Hamiltonian matrix. Some perturbations which affect the higher excited levels are discussed.     

Actively Q-switched intracavity second-harmonic generation of 1.06 μm in BiB3O6 crystal

We have investigated the acousto-optically Q-switched intracavity second-harmonic generation of 1.06 μm in a 1.9-mm-long BiB₃O₆ crystal, cut for type-I phase-matching direction of (θ,)=(168.9°,90°), performed in a diode-end-pumped Nd:YVO₄ laser. When the incident pump power was 4.3 W at 30 kHz of pulse repetition frequency, a maximum average green output power of 480 mW, the shortest pulse with FWHM width of 72 ns, the highest single pulse energy of 16 μJ and the maximum peak power of 222 W were obtained, giving the corresponding optical conversion efficiency of 11.2%. The effect of varying temperature in BIBO crystal on the average green output power was also investigated.     

New ferromagnetic La3Co2TaO9 double perovskite: Structural and magnetic properties

The new double perovskite La₃Co₂TaO₉ has been prepared by a solid-state procedure. The crystal and magnetic structures have been studied from X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) data. Rietveld refinements were performed in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The structure consists of an ordered array of alternating B′O₆ and B″O₆ octahedra sharing corners, tilted along the three pseudocubic axes according to the Glazer notation a⁻b⁻c⁺. Rietveld refinements show that at RT the cell parameters are a=5.6005(7) Å, b=5.6931(7) Å, c=7.9429(9) Å and β=89.9539(7)°, and the refined crystallographic formula of this “double perovskite” can be written as La₂(Co)_2d(Co_1/3Ta_2/3)_2cO₆. Magnetization measurements and low-temperature NPD data show that the perovskite is a ferromagnet with T_C=72 K. At high T it follows the Curie–Weiss law with an effective magnetic moment of 3.82μ_B per Co ion which is very close to spin only Co²⁺ (HS).     

Spectral characterization and energy levels of Cr:Sc2(MoO4)3 crystal

This paper reports the spectral properties and energy levels of Cr³⁺:Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ crystal. The crystal field strength Dq, Racah parameter B and C were calculated to be 1408 cm⁻¹, 608 cm⁻¹ and 3054 cm⁻¹, respectively. The absorption cross sections σ_α of ⁴A₂→⁴T₁ and ⁴A₂→⁴T₂ transitions were 3.74×10⁻¹⁹ cm² at 499 nm and 3.21×10⁻¹⁹ cm² at 710 nm, respectively. The emission cross section σ_e was 375×10⁻²⁰ cm² at 880 nm. Cr³⁺:Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ crystal has a broad emission band with a broad FWHM of 176 nm (2179 cm⁻¹). Therefore, Cr³⁺:Sc₂(MoO₄)₃ crystal may be regarded as a potential tunable laser gain medium.     

Effects on structure and superconductivity for La and Ca codoping in YBa2Cu3Oy cuprates

The nominal composition of Y_0.8Ca_0.2Ba_2−xLa_xCu₃O_y (YBLCO) cuprates with x≤0.50 has been synthesized by the standard solid state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction and the resistivity measurements are used to characterize the structure and the superconductivity of YBLCO cuprates. There is no structural phase transition in the whole doping range. The dependencies of the lattice constants and some other structural parameters on the content of La for the samples YBLCO with x≤0.20 are different than those for the samples with x≥0.25. The zero resistance temperature T_c0 increases with the increase of the content of La in YBLCO as x≤0.20, and decreases as x≥0.25. We compared these results with those of Nd-doped Y_0.8Ca_0.2Ba_2−zNd_zCu₃O_y cuprates. It seems that T_c0 is related to the structural parameters due to Ca and La codoping in YBLCO.     

Preparation of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles by high-energy ball milling

α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were prepared by high-energy ball milling using α-FeOOH as raw materials. The prepared samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis–thermogravimetric analysis (DTA–TGA). The results showed that after 90 h milling α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles were obtained, and the particle size is about 20 nm. The mechanism of reaction during milling is supposed that the initial α-FeOOH powder turned smaller and smaller by the high-speed collision during ball milling, later these particles turned to be superparamagnetic, at last these superparamagnetic α-FeOOH particles were dehydrated and transformed into α-Fe₂O₃.     

Nature of optical properties of GdFe3(BO3)4 and GdFe2.1Ga0.9(BO3)4 crystals and other 3d5 antiferromagnets

Influence of the partial substitution of paramagnetic Fe³⁺ ions by diamagnetic Ga³⁺ ions in the trigonal crystal GdFe₃ (BO₃)₄ on its optical and magnetic properties is studied and discussed in connection with problems common for all antiferromagnets containing 3d ⁵ ions. Polarized optical absorption spectra and linear birefringence of GdFe₃ (BO₃)₄ and GdFe_2.1Ga_0.9 (BO₃)₄ single crystals have been measured in the temperature range 85–293 K. Specific heat temperature dependence (2–300 K) and structure of GdFe_2.1Ga_0.9 (BO₃)₄ crystal have been also studied. As a result of substitution of 30% Fe to Ga the Neel temperature diminishes from 38 till 16 K, the strong absorption band edge shifts on 860 cm^-1 (0.11 eV) to higher energy and the d-d transitions intensity decreases substantially larger than the Fe concentration does. Strong absorption band edge is shown to be due to Mott-Hubbard transitions. Correlation between position of the strong absorption band edge and the Neel temperature of antiferromagnets has been revealed. Properties of the doubly forbidden d-d transitions in the studied crystals and in other antiferromagnets are explained within the framework of the model of the exchange-vibronic pair absorption, which is theoretically analyzed in detail. The model permitted us to determine the connection between parameters of d-d absorption bands (intensity, width and their temperature dependences), on the one hand, and the exchange, spin-orbit and electron-lattice interactions, on the other hand.     

Electrical characteristics and low-temperature sintering of BiFeO3-modified Pb(Zr,Ti)O3–Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3–Pb(Mn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics with ZnO addition

Effects of ZnO addition on electrical properties and low-temperature sintering of BiFeO₃-modified Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃–Pb(Fe_2/3W_1/3)O₃–Pb(Mn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ were investigated. The investigations revealed that the sintering temperature can be decreased to 950 °C, and the favorable properties were obtained with 0.10 wt% ZnO added ceramics. The electrical properties were as follows: d₃₃ = 313 pC/N, K_p = 0.56, tan δ = 0.0053, ε_r = 1407 and T_c = 295 °C, which showed that this system was a promising material for the multilayer devices application.