Laser performance of diode-pumped Nd, Y-codoped CaF₂–SrF₂mixed crystal

Abstract

A disordered Nd, Y-codoped CaF 2 -SrF 2 mixed crystal was obtained by the temperature gradient technique (TGT). The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the crystal were measured at room temperature. Diode-pumped continuous-wave (CW) and Q-switched laser operations were demonstrated at 1056 nm with a 0.65 at.% Nd, 10 at.% Y-codoped crystal, for the first time to our knowledge. The CW output power of 724 mW was obtained in a compact linear cavity. Also the Q-switched pulse characteristics of Nd, Y:CaF 2 -SrF 2 laser crystal were reported based on Cr 4+ :YAG saturable absorbers in a folded cavity. The shortest pulse width of 110 ns and the highest peak power of 383 W were obtained when the initial transmission of the Cr 4+ :YAG crystals was 90%. The dependence of the operational parameters on the pump power was also investigated experimentally.

Tunable Nd, La:SrF 2 laser and passively Q-switched operation based on gold nanobipyramids saturable absorber

“…Particularly, the AeF 2 -LnF 3 -NdF 3 (Ae: Sr 2+ , Ca 2+ , Ba 2+ ; Ln: Y 3+ , Lu 3+ , La 3+ , Gd 3+ ) disordered crystal have performed excellent laser outputs. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Codoping the buffer ions (Y 3+ , Lu 3+ , La 3+ , Gd 3+ ) could alleviate the detrimental concentration quenching effect and improve the laser performances markedly. Besides, the disordered lattice structure causes the absorption and fluorescence spectra to inhomogeneously broaden, which is beneficial to generating ultrashort pulse.…”

Operation of continuous wave and Q-switching on diode-pumped Nd,Y:CaF2 disordered crystal

“…Recently, the disordered Nd,Y:CaF 2 crystals have caused wide public concern because of admirable spectral characteristics and thermal properties [10][11][12][13]. Besides the above advantages, the disordered Nd,Y:CaF 2 crystals are codoped with the Y 3 þ ions, which is beneficial to further increase in the line width [14]. Because the Y 3 þ can break the [Nd 3 þ -Nd 3 þ ] clusters and modulate spectral characteristics of Nd 3 þ ions on account of the formation of new [Nd 3 þ -Y 3 þ ] clusters [10].…”

Spectroscopic and laser properties of a broadly tunable diode-pumped Tm3+ :CaF2–SrF2 laser

“…Adding SrF 2 to CaF 2 also results in compensation of the intrinsic birefringence of CaF 2 at short wavelength, which is useful for microelectronic lithography [16][17][18][19]. Solid solutions of CaF 2 -SrF 2 have been successfully doped with Nd 3+ , Yb 3+ and Er 3+ ions [9,[19][20][21][22]. The ternary CaF 2 -SrF 2 -REF 3 systems have a saddle point in the phase diagram where the congruent melting takes place.…”