Spectroscopic properties of Nd:CaF2 crystals with different doping concentrations of Nd3+ and codoping concentrations of Y3+ were investigated. The effect of codoping with Y3+ ions on the absorption and emission spectra, emission lifetimes, quantum efficiency, and emission cross sections of Nd3+ were studied. In particular, codoping with Y3+ ions increases the width of the emission lines over that found with Nd-doped glasses, and allows true CW laser operation around 1.06 μm.

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