The mechanism research of the Cr^4＋Nd^3＋：YAG laser

The 946nm diode-pump microchip self-Q-switched laser of a chromium and neodymium codoped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal material (Cr^{4+}Nd^{3+}:YAG) is studied, especially about its physical mechanism of operation. The {}^4F_{3/2}→{}^4I_{9/2} transition of Nd^{3+} ion is beneficial to achieving laser oscillation in a quasi-three-level system based on coating the cavity mirrors of the microchip with films that suppress the 1064nm operation and enhance the 946nm laser. The Cr^{4+} ion is a saturable absorber. The initial loss N_{t1} is high, which acts as the threshold for laser oscillation. The stable loss N_{t2} is low because the Cr^{4+} ion is acceleratively bleached by the fast enhancement of the oscillating laser. The high N_{t1}, small N_{t2} and fast progresses permit the oscillating laser of the Cr^{4+}Nd^{3+}:YAG to have a good self-Q-switched property whose full width at half maximum is about 4.2ns. Its highest laser power is about 5.7mW. Its peak power is about 150W. Its good fundamental transverse TEM_{00} mode results from the absorption bleaching established by both the pump and oscillating lasers, which suppress other transverse mode and allow the oscillation only in the fundamental transverse TEM_{00} mode.     

Up-conversion luminescence research of Er（0.5）：ZBLAN material for volumetric display application when excited by 1520nm laser

The up-conversion luminescence of the ZBLAN fluoride glass Er(0.5):ZBLAN, when excited by a 1520 nm semiconductor laser, is studied in this paper. The absorption and common-fluorescence spectra are also measured in order to understand the up-conversion clearly. It is found that there are seven strong up-conversion luminescence lines (406.97^m, 410.42 nm), (521.97^m, 527.56 nm), (542.38^m, 549.27 nm), (654.27^m, 665.70 nm), 801.57^m nm, 819.46 nm, and 840.00 nm, which can be recognized as the fluorescence transitions of ({}^2G^4F^2H)_{9/2}→{}^4I_{15/2},{}^2H_{11/2}→ {}^4I_{15/2},{}^4S_{3/2}→{}^4I_{15/2},{}^4F_{9/2}→{}^4I_{15/2}, {}^4I_{9/2}→ {}^4I_{15/2}, ({}^2G^4F^2H)_{9/2}→{}^4I_{9/2}, and {}^4S_{3/2}→{}^4I_{13/2} respectively. Meanwhile, the small up-conversion fluorescence lines 379.20 nm, 453.10 nm and 490.60 nm are the transitions of {}^4G_{11/2}→{}^4I_{15/2},{}^4F_{5/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} and {}^4F_{7/2}→ {}^4I_{15/2} respectively. It is interesting that the slopes of log F－logP curves, the double-logarithmic variation of up-conversion luminescence intensity F with laser power P, are different from each other for these observed up-conversion luminescence, this being valuable for the volumetric display. Comprehensive discussions find that the {}^4G_{11/2}→{}^4I_{15/2}, (^2G^4F^2H)_{9/2}→{}^4I_{15/2}, (^2H_{11/2}→{}^4I_{15/2},{}^4S_{3/2}→{}^4I_{15/2},{}^4F_{9/2}→ {}^4I_{15/2}), and {}^4I_{9/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} up-conversion luminescences are five-photon, four-photon, three-photon, and two-photon up-conversion luminescences respectively. It is found also that the absorption from ground-state {}^4I_{15/2} level to {}^4I_{13/2} level is very large, which is beneficial to the sequential energy transfer up-conversion to occur.     

Spectral properties of erbium-doped heavy metal oxyfluoride silicate glasses for broadband amplification

Erbium-doped glasses showing a wide 1.55μm emission band are reported in a novel heavy metal oxyfluoride glass system SiO_2－PbO－PbF_2 and their optical properties such as emission spectra, fluorescence lifetime and the refractive index have been investigated. The broad and flat {}^4I_{13/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} emission of Er^{3+} ions around 1.55μm can be used as host materials for potential optical amplifiers in wavelength-division-multiplexing network system. We find that with increasing PbF_2 content in the glass composition, the fluorescence full width at half maximum and fluorescence lifetime of the {}^4I_{13/2} level of Er^{3+} increase, while refractive index and density decrease.     

Comparative study of spectroscopic properties of Er^3＋／Yb^3＋-codoped tellurite glass and fibres under 980nm excitation＊

A tellurite fibre of TeO_{2}－ZnO－La_{2}O_{3}－Li_{2}O glass codoped with 20000 ppm ytterbium and 5000 ppm erbium was fabricated by the suction casting and rod-in-tube technologies. The absorption spectrum of Er^{3+}/Yb^{3+} -codoped bulk glass has been measured. From the Judd－Ofelt intensity parameters, the spontaneous emission probability and radiative lifetime τ_{rad} of Er^{3+}:{}^{4}I_{13/2}→{}^{4}I_{15/2} transition for the bulk glass have been calculated. The emission fluorescence spectra and lifetimes around 1.5μm, and subsequent upconversion fluorescence in the range of 500－700nm were measured in fibres and compared with those in bulk glass. The changes in amplified spontaneous emission with fibre length and pumping power was also measured. It was found that the emission spectrum from erbium in fibres is almost twice as broad as the corresponding spectrum in bulk glass when pumped at 980nm.     

Optical transitions in Er^3＋ doped lead germanate glasses

Er^{3+}- and Er^{3+}/Yb^{3+}-doped lead germanate glasses that are suitable for use in fibre lasers and optical amplifiers as well as optical waveguide devices have been fabricated and characterized. The absorption spectra from near-infrared to visible were obtained and the Judd－Ofelt parameters were determined from the absorption band. Intense and broad 1.53μm infrared fluorescence and visible upconversion luminescence were observed under 976 nm diode laser excitation. For 1.53μm emission band, the full widths at half-maximum are 36, 37, 51 nm for GPE, GPYE and GPFE samples, respectively. For frequency upconversion emission, the intense bands centred at around 524, 545, 657nm are due to the {}^4S_{3/2}+{}^2H_{11/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} and {}^4F_{9/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} transitions of Er^{3+} ions. The quadratic dependence of the green and red emissions on excitation power indicates that the two-photon absorption process occurs under the 976nm excitation.     

Optical transitions and upconversion properties of Er^3＋-doped chloride tellurite glasses

Er^{3+}-doped lead chloride tellurite glasses were prepared using the conventional melting and quenching method. The absorption spectra were measured and the Judd－Ofelt analysis was performed. The spectroscopic parameters such as the intensity parameters, transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios were obtained. Intense infrared emission and visible upconversion luminescence under 976 nm excitation were observed. For the 1.55μm emission, the full width at half maximum and the emission cross sections are more than 50 nm and 8×10^{- 20}cm^2, respectively. Three efficient visible luminescences centred at 525, 547, and 658nm are assigned to the transitions from the excited states {}^{2}H_{11/2}, {}^{4}S_{3/2}, and {}^{4}F_{9/2} to the ground state {}^{4}I_{15/2}, respectively. The upconversion mechanisms and the power-dependent intensities are also discussed and evaluated.     

High Power Diode-End-Pumped Nd：YAG 946-nm Laser and Its Efficient Frequency Doubling

We report a high power operation of the ^4Fa/2 → ^4I9/2 transition in diode-end-pumped laser at 946nm. The maximum output of 5.1 W is obtained with a short linear plano-concave cavity, and the slope efficiency is 24.5% at incident pump power of 23.3 W. To our knowledge, this is the highest value of the LD-pumped Nd:YAG 946 nm lasers that employ the conversional Nd:YAG rod as the gain medium. By intracavity frequency doubling with an LBO crystal, up to 982mW cw output power in the blue spectral range at 473nm is achieved at an incident pump power of 10.9 W with a compact three-element cavity, leading to optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 9%. The conversion efficiency should be increased to 15.1%, if the rather low absorption coefficient of this Nd:YAG is considered.     

High Power Continuous-Wave and Acousto-Optic Q-Switched Nd：GdVO4 Laser Operated at 912 nm

We present a high power and efficient operation of the ^4F3/2 → ^4I9/2 transition in Nd：GdVO4 at 912nm. In the cw mode, the maximum output power of 8.6 W is achieved when the incident pump power is 40.3 W, leading to a slope efficiency of 33.3% and an optical-optical efficiency of 21.3%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest cw laser power at 912nm obtained with the conventional Nd：GdVO4 crystal. Pulsed operation of 912nm laser has also been realized by inserting a small aeousto-optie （A-O） Q-Switch inside the resonator. As a result, the minimal pulse width of 20ns and the average laser power 1.43 W at the repetition rate of lOkHz are obtained, corresponding to 7.1 kW peak power. We believe that this is the highest laser peak power at 912nm. Furthermore, duration of 65ns has also been acquired when the repetition rate is 100 kHz.     

Anomalous magnetostrictive effects in （La1—xTbx）2／3Sr1／3 MnO3

A series of (La_{1-x}Tb_x)_{2/3}Sr_{1/3}MnO_3 polycrystalline samples has been studied by means of x-ray diffraction, magnetostriction, and thermal expansion measurements. It has been found that this series undergoes a phase transition from a rhombohedral to an orthorhombic form at the doping level x≈0.20 at room temperature accompanied by an anisotropic magnetostriction up to －50×10^{-6} under a magnetic field of 1T. The linear and volume magnetostrictions vary with chemical composition, even change sign. At T=80K, the magnetostrictions for the samples of x=0.20 and 0.40 exhibit different behaviours. The sample of x=0.20 has positive volume and linear magnetostrictions and a negative anisotropic magnetostriction, while the sample of x=0.40 has an opposite behaviour. The magnitude of volume magnetostriction for both the samples is essential (～10^{-4}) at T=80K under a magnetic field of 4T. We conclude that these anomalous effects are due to the charge delocalization and the structural phase transition between orthorhombic and rhombohedral forms induced by the applied magnetic field.     

Characteristics of Nd：GdVO4 Laser with Different Nd-Doping Concentrations

We report the properties of a compact diode-pumped continuous-wave Nd：GdV04 laser with a linear cavity and different Nd-doped laser crystals. In a 0.2at.% Nd-doped Nd：GdVO4 laser, 1.54 W output laser power is achieved at 912nm wavelength with a slope efficiency of 24.8% at an absorbed pump power of 9.4W. With 0.3at.% Nd-doping concentration, we can obtain the either single-wavelength emission at 1064nm or 912nm or the dual-wavelength emission at 1064nm and 912nm by controlling the incident pump power. From an incident pump power of 11.6 W, the 1064nm emission between ^4Fa/2 and ^4I11/2 is suppressed completely by the 912nm emission between ^4Fa/2 and ^4I9/2. We obtain 670 mW output of the 912nm single-wavelength laser emission with a slope efficiency of 5.5% by taking an incident pump power of 18.4 W. Using a Nd：GdV04 laser with 0.4at.% Nd-doping concentration, we obtain either the single-wavelength emission at 1064nm or the dual-wavelength emission at both 1064nm and 912nm by increasing the incident pump power. We observe a strong competition process in the dualavelength laser.     

Nd:YAG陶瓷与单晶4F3/2–4I13/2跃迁的弱谱线多波长激光性能对比

报道了基于半导体激光端面抽运Nd:YAG的⁴F_3/2–⁴I_13/2 跃迁的弱谱线多波长激光输出. 实验对比了透明陶瓷与单晶材料的激光输出特性, 表明透明陶瓷和单晶材料荧光谱强度的略微差异, 导致了多波长输出时相同两个波长之间的激光强度比在两种材料中的差异. 基于两种耦合输出镜片, 激光阈值都在2 W左右. 在13.5 W的抽运功率下, 基于Nd:YAG透明陶瓷获得了输出功率4.05 W、强度比1 :2的1338与1356 nm双波长激光和输出功率3.65 W、强度比13 : 1的1356与1414 nm 双波长激光, 斜率效率分别达33.9% 和31.9%.     

Analysis of the laser performance of Tm3+, Tb3+(Ho3+):YVO4 crystals at ～1.5μm wavelength

The absorption spectra of Tb,Tm:YVO_4 and Ho,Tm:YVO_4 are measured. The radiant and non-radiant transition probabilities from higher level to lower level, A_{i,j} and ω_{i,j}, and the cross-elaxation probability are calculated in virtue of Judd－Ofelt and Dexter theories. The fluorescence lifetime of Tm^{3+} in the Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) co-doped crystal is calculated. It indicates that the lifetime of initial level {}^3H_4 of the laser transition can be shorter than that of terminal level {}^3F_4 of the transition if the atomic percentage of Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ions is bigger than about 1 at%: namely, by means of the co-doping Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ions the self-termination phenomenon of laser light can be eliminated. Inserting the optic parameters to the formula deduced here on the laser threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} and the slope efficiency η^{(4)}_s of the four-energy-level system, we obtain the relationship of threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} to the concentration of Tm^{3+} ions and discuss the effect of Tb^{3+} (or Ho^{3+}) ion concentration on the laser threshold power P^{(4)}_{th} around 1.5μm wavelength. The result shows that Tb,Tm:YVO_4 crystal is a better choice to make the laser at ～1.5μm wavelength than Ho,Tm:YVO_4 crystal. We give the appropriate composition of (1－2) at% Tb, (1－2) at% Tm:YVO_4, just for reference.     

Simultaneous dual-wavelength Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1.06 μm and 946 nm

Considering the reabsorption loss of the quasi-three level system and the unsaturable loss of the saturable absorber, we obtained the operating condition of a diode-pumped simultaneous dual-wavelength Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1.06 μm and 946 nm. The dual-wavelength pulsed laser was realized successfully through adaptive coating design of the cavity mirrors. As much as 1.6 W total average output power of the dual-wavelength at 1.06 μm and 946 nm was achieved at the incident pump power of 14.2 W with an optical conversion efficiency of 11.3%.     

A novel yellow emitting phosphor Dy3+, Bi3+ co-doped YVO4 potentially for white light emitting diodes

Novel Y1 x yVO4:xDy3+,yBi3+(0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.05,0 ≤ y ≤ 0.20) phosphors for light emitting diode(LED) were successfully synthesised by solid-state reaction.The calculation results of electronic structure show that YVO4 has a direct band gap with 3 eV at G.The top of the valence band is dominated by O 2p state and the bottom of the conduction band is mainly composed of O 2p and V 3d states.An efficient yellow emission under near-ultraviolet(365 nm) excitation is observed.Compared with the pure YVO4:Dy3+ samples,the Dy3+,Bi3+ co-doped samples show a more intensive emission peak(at 574 nm) and a new broad emission band(450-770 nm),due to the 4F9/2 6H13/2 transition of Dy3+ and the emission of the VO3 4 Bi3+ complex respectively.The optimum chromaticity index of Y1 x yVO4:xDy3+,yBi3+(0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.05,0 ≤ y ≤ 0.20) is(0.447,0.497),which indicates that YVO4:Dy3+,Bi3+ has higher colour saturation than the commercial phosphor YAG:Ce3+.The effects of concentration of Dy3+,Bi3+,electric states and the photoluminescence properties are discussed in details.