Optical properties and laser performance of neodymium doped scheelites CaWO4 and NaGd(WO4)2

Nd-doped CaWO₄ (CWO) and NaGd(WO₄)₂ (NGWO) single crystals with good optical quality have been grown by the Czochralski technique. The neodymium distribution coefficient in these matrices is about 0.4 for CWO and close to unity for NGWO. Polarized absorption and emission spectra have been recorded at room temperature and used to calculate the absorption and stimulated emission cross-sections.1 and 2% Nd : CWO and 1 % Nd:NGWO laser rods have been tested in a cavity longitudinaly pumped by an 1 W AIGaAs laser diode and compared to Nd : YAG and Nd:YVO₄ rods in the same conditions. The 2% Nd: CWO rod exhibits the best performance with slope efficiencies of 64%, higher than in the case of YAG and equal to the YVO₄ samples. The dependence of the laser output power versus the diode temperature has been measured for all these materials. The laser output of Nd: CWO was found to be nearly as stable as for Nd : YVO₄ and much more stable than in the case of Nd : YAG. A CWO microchip has also been tested for the first time to our knowledge.     

Laser spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ -doped tellurite glasses

The stimulated emission cross-section σ and fluorescence lifetime for the 1.06 μm emission (⁴F_3/2 →⁴I_1/12) have been measured for a number of Nd-doped tellurite glasses. The measured value of σ ? 9 × 10^-20 cm ² for the tellurite glasses is to be compared with the value of 3.5 × 10^-20 cm ² for the ED-2 glass. Based on the measured spectroscopic parameters, an LED-pumped tellurite glass fiber laser is predicted to perform better than ED-2 glass, both in the longitudinal and transverse pumping configuration. The threshold for side-pumped tellurite glass laser can be comparable or even lower than that in Nd:YAG.     

Passive mode-locking of the Nd-glass oscillator at high repetition rate with thermally compensated phosphate glasses

The performance of the passively mode-locked Nd-glass laser has been investigated at repetition rates of up to 5 Hz for seven different varieties of Nd-doped silicate, fluoro-phosphate, and phosphate glass rods. Those phosphate rods which are thermally compensated (LHG-8, EV-4, Q-100) were found to permit mode-locking at 5 Hz with no apparent thermal distortion. The other rods had self-imposed repetition rate limits of less than 0.5 Hz. All rods were evaluated under conditions of TEM₀₀ field distribution. High resolution streak camera and time resolved spectrogram measurements showed that 4 ps time-bandwidth limited pulses were produced with thermally compensated phosphate glass only in the leading edge of the pulse train and that self-phasemodulation was present in the later pulses for all of the glasses.     

Spectroscopic investigations and luminescence spectra of Nd and Dy doped different phosphate glasses

Spectral properties of Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions in different phosphate glasses were studied and several spectroscopic parameters were reported. Covalency of rare-earth-oxygen bond was studied in these phosphate glass matrices with the variation of modifier in host glass matrix. Using Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆), radiative transition probabilities (A) and radiative lifetimes (τ_R) of certain excited states of Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions are estimated in these glass matrices. From the magnitudes of branching ratios (β_R) and integrated absorption cross-sections (Σ), certain transitions of both the ions are identified for laser excitation. From the emission spectra, peak stimulated emission cross-sections (σ_P) are evaluated for the emission transitions observed in all these phosphate glass matrices for both Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions.     

钕离子掺杂和钕铝共掺高硅氧玻璃的光谱性质研究

基于多孔玻璃烧结的方法制备了钕离子掺杂和钕铝共掺高硅氧玻璃，测量了掺钕高硅氧玻璃的吸收光谱、荧光光谱和荧光寿命. 利用Judd-Ofelt理论计算得到了钕离子在高硅氧玻璃中的强度参数，计算并对比了掺钕高硅氧玻璃和钕铝共掺高硅氧玻璃的理论荧光寿命、受激发射截面和发光量子效率.讨论了钕铝共掺高硅氧玻璃中铝离子的掺入对玻璃发光性质的影响. 通过与其他掺钕氧化物玻璃和一些商用硅酸盐玻璃的主要光谱性质的比较，掺钕高硅氧玻璃显示了较好的光谱性质，有可能成为一种应用于高能和高频激光领域的新型激光材料. 关键词： 掺钕高硅氧玻璃 钕铝共掺 光谱性质 Judd-Ofelt理论     

Experimental investigation of enhancing the subsurface damage threshold of Nd-doped phosphate glass

Experimental investigation was performed with a 1064-nm, 10-ns Nd:YAG laser to determine the effects of the surface hydrogen acid etching on laser damage, compared with damage of conventionally polished surface. The investigation was helpful for us to understand the negative effects of Nd-doped phosphate glass surface and subsurface damage (SSD) on laser induced damage threshold (LIDT). A set of samples was polished, and then chemically etched in a cool buffered 10%HF 20%H2SO4 solution at different times. Another set of samples was ground and etched in the hot-buffered solution, and then polished. All the samples were irradiated with Nd: YAG laser and characterized by optical microscopy. Results of LIDT were obtained according to International standard ISO/DIS 11254-1.2. Chemical treatment can remove the contaminants in the polished re-deposition layer and the SSD for improving the laser damage resistance of Nd-doped phosphate glass surfaces. The method of using hot solution was more effective than that ofusing cool solution.     

Experimental investigation on laser-induced surface damage threshold of Nd-doped phosphate glass

Nd-doped phosphate glass is the dominant amplifier material used in solid state high average power laser systems.Surface imperfection and subsurface damage(SSD)of the glass,resulting from the optical fabrica-tion process,limit the increment of laser system energy output.Thus,it is important to enhance the surface damage threshold of Nd-doped phosphate glass surface.The influence of abrasive size,polishing powder,grinding mode,and chemical treatment on the laser-induced damage threshold(LIDT)of Nd-doped phos-phate glass surface is investigated.Results show that the LIDT is affected little by different polishing powders and grinding modes.The LIDT correlates with the abrasive size,which produced different depths of SSD.A suitable acid etching treatment can remove the imperfection and the SSD for improving the LIDT of Nd-doped phosphate glass surface.The combination of several effective techniques and methods,which are low-cost and practical,should be useful to enhance the LIDT of Nd-doped phosphate glass surface.     

Spectroscopy and laser operation of Nd-doped mixed sesquioxides (Lu1?x Sc x )2O3

We report on crystal growth, spectroscopic investigations, crystal field tuning, and laser experiments of neodymium doped mixed sesquioxides (Lu_1?x Sc _x )₂O₃. Crystals were grown by the Nacken?CKyropoulos and the Heat-Exchanger method. Emission spectra for several mixing ratios are presented. Cw laser experiments were carried out with a 0.35?at.%-doped Nd:Lu_1.82Sc_0.18O₃ crystal by using a Ti:sapphire laser as pump source, achieving a maximum slope efficiency of 47?% with respect to the absorbed pump power and a maximum output power of 356?mW at a wavelength of 952.7?nm. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first continous wave (cw) laser operation of a Nd-doped mixed sesquioxide.     

The determination of hopping rates and carrier concentrations in ionic conductors by a new analysis of ac conductivity

The a.c. conductivity σ(ω) of ionic materials takes the form, σ(ω) = σ(0) + Aωⁿ. The carrier hopping rate, ω_p, is obtained from the new expression σ(0) = A ω_pⁿ and the carrier concentration is estimated from σ(0). The contribution of creation and migration terms to the activation energy for conduction may be determined from the thermal activation of σ(0) and ω_p and the corresponding entropy terms quantified. Data have been analyzed for four widely different ionic materials: single crystal Na β-alumina, polycrystalline Li₄SiO₄, Ag₇l₄AsO₄ glass and Ca(NO₃)₂/KNO₃ glass and melt. For each, the carrier concentration and hopping rates have been obtained.     

Neutron induced reaction cross-section of115In around 14 MeV

A systematic investigation was carried out on¹¹⁵In to determine the contribution of different reactions to the total non-elastic cross-section in the 13.43 and 14.84 MeV incident neutron energy range. All the major components ofσ _NE were measured with exception of theσ ^g(n, n′) cross section. An analytical expression is recommended to estimate theσ _NE data as a function of mass number at E_n=14.1 MeV. By the knowledge ofσ _NE, the energy dependence ofσ ^g(n, n′) could be deduced. The isomeric cross section ratios both for (n, 2n) and (n, n′) processes were also determined in the given energy range. The present experiment proves the dependence ofσ ^m/(σ ^g+σ ^m) ratio on the spin value (I _m) of the isomeric state in the (n, 2n) reaction. Excitation functions of the (n, 2n), (n, n′) (n, p) and (n∶ p, α) reactions calculated by STAPRE code show good agreement with the experimental results.     

Spectroscopy and lasing of new mixed Nd-doped (Sc,Y)VO4 crystals

We report the first successful growth of Nd-doped Sc _x Y_1?x VO₄ crystals (0<x≤1) by the Czochralski technique. For a successful synthesis, the upper limit of the Sc concentration in the YVO₄ melt was found to be below 10 at%. The spectroscopic characterization of an Nd-doped laser crystal, i.e., Nd:Sc_0.011Y_1.003V_0.986O_3.986, is discussed. Diode pumping of a c-cut crystal yielded an output power of 1.1 W at a wavelength of 1.06 μm with a slope efficiency of 43%: The slope efficiency of an a-cut crystal was 37%.     

Nanoparticle dispersion laser

Lasing action from a dispersion of nanoparticles is reported for the first time to our knowledge. The nanoparticles are Nd(2)O(3) modified with dimethyldichlorosilane (DMDCS) in dimethylsulfoxide. The laser was pumped with a pulsed laser at 802 nm and yielded 2.7 mJ with a slope efficiency of 50%. This was compared to a standard Nd-doped phosphate glass that yielded very similar results in the same setup.     

New lasers based on c-cut vanadat crystals

Spectroscopic and lasing properties of c-cut Nd-doped Nd:Gd_0.7Y_0.3VO₄, Nd:YVO₄, and Nd:GdVO₄ crystals were investigated. Spectral tuning from 1062 to 1067 nm was demonstrated. CW, Q-switching and mode-locking regimes for two-color laser operations were realized. A novel THz source based on Q-switch two-color diode-pumped solid state c-cut Nd:GdVO₄ laser with Filter Lio as selective element and the GaSe nonlinear optical crystals as convertor was demonstrated. Terahertz radiation with wavelength 436 mm (0.56 THz) was detected. One picosecond laser pulses in mode-locking diode pumped c-cut vanadat lasers with a Kerr-lens and PbS-doped glasses as saturable absorbers are observed.     

Efficient pulse operation of Nd:GdVO4 laser with AO Q-switch

We realized an efficient laser diode-pumped Nd:GdVO₄ laser with crystals grown by the floating zone method. In the lasing experiment, a slope efficiency of 78% was achieved with a 1 at.% Nd-doped crystal by pumping at 879 nm. Furthermore, excellent pulsed laser operation was demonstrated with the Nd:GdVO₄ crystal by using an acousto-optical (AO) Q-switch. A pulse width of 7 ns was observed when the pulse-repetition frequency was 40 kHz. It is the shortest pulse width recorded in the case of the AO Q-switched Nd:GdVO₄ laser.     

Effect of Pb on the electrical properties of a-Ge20Se80 glasses

The present paper reports the effect of Pb impurity (low ∼2 at% and high ∼10 at%) on the ac conductivity (σ_ac) of a-Ge₂₀Se₈₀ glass. Frequency-dependent ac conductance and capacitance of the samples over a frequency range ∼100 Hz to 50 kHz have been taken in the temperature range ∼268 to 358 K. At frequency 2 kHz and temperature 298 K, the value of σ_ac increases at low as well as at higher concentration of Pb. σ_ac is proportional to ω^s for undoped and doped samples. The value of frequency exponent (s) decreases as the temperature increases. The static permittivity (ε_s) increases at both Pb concentrations. These results have been explained on the basis of some structural changes at low and higher concentration of Pb impurity.     

Effect of Nd concentration on the Nd:KGW laser

The effect of Nd concentration on the laser performance at 1064 nm from Nd:KGW has been studied in a single flash-lamp cavity. The Nd concentrations used were 3, 5, and 6 at.% in 6 mm diameter and 80 mm long KGW rods. The 5 at % Nd-doped KGW rod was found to have the highest laser extraction efficiency as compared to the 3 at.% and 6 at.% rods.     

Crystalline patterning in Sm-doped sodium borate glass by CW Nd:YAG laser irradiation

Laser irradiation of glass materials has drawn much attention because this technique can offer a new processing method for spatially selected structural modification and/or crystallization in glass. Crystallized line and dot patterns at the micrometer scale were fabricated on the surface of Sm-doped sodium borate (Na₂O-B₂O₃) glass by irradiation of a continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser at λ = 1064 nm. The pattern sizes could be controlled by adjusting such parameters as scan rate, exposure time, and laser power. Analyses by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed that the crystalline phase is Na₃Sm₂(BO₃)₃.     

Zum Kernphotoeffekt am Ar40 und Ar38

Liquid Argon was irradiated with bremsstrahlung from 18 to 31 MeV endpoint energy in steps of 2 MeV. The yields of the reactions Ar⁴⁰(γ, n)+(γ, p) and Ar³⁸(γ, n) were measured by detecting the 269a and the 35d rest activity with a low-level-counter. Cross section curves for the (γ, n)-processes could be found from the yield values, and they allowed together withσ _N, σ(γ, p) andσ(γ, np) a determination ofσ(γ, 2n) and σ_γabs for Ar⁴⁰. The integrated cross section forσ(γ, n) from threshold to 33 MeV yields (200±40) MeVmb for Ar⁴⁰ and (210±40) MeVmb for Ar³⁸, the corresponding value for σ_γabs being (450±60) MeVmb for Ar⁴⁰.     

Thermal neutron induced charged particle reactions on58,59,61Ni

The thermal neutron induced charged particle spectroscopy on^{58, 59, 61}Ni (target nuclei) was done at the 87 m thermal neutron curved guide of the Grenoble high flux reactor. In the⁵⁹Nu(n, α)⁵⁶Fe reaction two lines showed up corresponding toα-particle transitions to the ground and first excited states in⁵⁶Fe with σ_α0=13.1±1.1 b and σ_α1 =0.188±0.01 b. A value of σ_γα≦13 mb was obtained for the two-step⁵⁹Ni(n, γα)⁵⁶Fe reaction. The technique to unfold theγα-spectrum and to get information on the primary low energyγ-rays is given and the present and our previous data on the¹⁴³Nd(n, γα)¹⁴⁰Ce reaction are analysed. For the⁵⁹Ni(n, p)⁵⁹Co reaction _p0=1.34±0.18b,σ _p1<0.30 b were determined. The cross-sections for the⁵⁸Ni(n,α)⁵⁵Fe and⁶¹Ni(n,α)⁵⁸Fe reactions were σ_α0≦30 Μb and σ_α0≦30 Μb respectively; these andσ _p1upper limit value are about 20–1500 times lower than the existing data. The other results are compared with the existing data and the differences are explained. The experimental data are compared with the values obtained from the statistical model.