Effect of La³⁺ proportion on spectroscopic and continuous wave laser properties of Nd,La:CaF₂ single crystals

Abstract

The effect of the lanthanum proportion on the spectroscopic properties of Nd, La:CaF 2 crystals was investigated. Compared with 0.5 at.% Nd:CaF 2 , the spectral parameters of 0.5 at.% Nd, x at.% La:CaF 2 (x = 2, 5, 8) were altered in a large scale. Under laser diode pumping, the continuous-wave laser operations around 1.06 µm were demonstrated in the 0.5 at.% Nd, x at.% La:CaF 2 (x = 2, 5, 8) samples. The 0.5 at.% Nd, 5 at.% La:CaF 2 sample had the best laser performance with a maximum output power of 1.33 W and a slop efficiency of 40.3%.

Nd3+ Cluster Adjustment in Nd3+:CaNb2O6 by Codoping La3+ Buffers for Improvement of Fundamental and Self-Stimulated Raman Scattering Laser Operation: A Study Case from the Perspective of Defect Chemistry

“…These results are superior to those of Nd 3+ :CaNb 2 O 6 , in which the maximum average output power was 140 mW with 2 ns pulse duration at 10 kHz and the conversion and slope efficiencies were only 2.0% and 2.2%, respectively: even its length for Raman gain is longer than that of Nd 3+ :La 3+ :CaNb 2 O 6 . In fact, the preliminary results of the Nd 3+ :La 3+ :CaNb 2 O 6 self-SRS laser are also better than those of the Nd 3+ :CaNb 2 O 6 reported by Kaminskii and close to those of famous self-SRS laser crystals such as Nd 3+ :KGd­(WO 4 ) 2 , and Nd 3+ :YVO 4 . − It is worth noting that the laser operation efficiencies of Nd 3+ -doped CaF 2 and SrF 2 single crystals also have been significantly improved with an increment of La 3+ buffer ion concentration. , Therefore, a higher laser operation efficiency can be expected in Nd 3+ -doped CaNb 2 O 6 after optimizing crystal growth conditions and increasing the La 3+ buffer ion concentration, and this work is in progress.…”

“…53−57 It is worth noting that the laser operation efficiencies of Nd 3+ -doped CaF 2 and SrF 2 single crystals also have been significantly improved with an increment of La 3+ buffer ion concentration. 58,59 Therefore, a higher laser operation efficiency can be expected in Nd 3+doped CaNb 2 O 6 after optimizing crystal growth conditions and increasing the La 3+ buffer ion concentration, and this work is in progress. with the same geometric configuration indicate that La 3+ ions could displace the Nd 3+ in Nd 3+ dimers and act as buffers in Nd 3+ :La 3+ :CaNb 2 O 6 .…”