Spectral Analysis and Thermal Properties of Nd∶GdYAG Laser Crystal

Abstract

Abstract: The adsorption and fluorescence spectra of the grown Nd∶GdYAG were measured. The spectral parameters, such as oscillator strength, line strength, intensity parameter Ω_t, transition probability between ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_J levels, radiation lifetime, and fluorescence branching ratio, were calculated with Judd-Ofelt theory. The calculated Ω_t are Ω₂=(0.813±0.200)×10^-20 cm², Ω₄=(3.381±0.187)×10^-20 cm², Ω₆=(5.135±0.278)×10^-20 cm², respectively. Compared with Nd-doped YAG, LuAG, YVO₄, and other crystals, Nd∶GdYAG crystal has a larger Ω₂, showing that the addition of Gd³⁺increases the disorder of the host. The absorption cross-section and refractive index in the range of 300~1 200 nm were calculated and fitted. The absorption cross-section at 808 nm is 5.0×10^-20 cm². The refractive index at 1 064 nm is 1.80. The measured fluorescence lifetime of ⁴F_3/2 level is 228 μs, which is close to the calculated radiation lifetime of 240 μs. The emission cross-section at 1 064 nm is 1.23×10^-19 cm², which is close to that of Nd∶YAG crystal. Addition, at room temperature, the thermal conductivity of Nd∶GdYAG crystal is 5.992 W/(m·K), which is slightly smaller than that of Nd∶YAG and Nd∶GGG, but larger than that of Nd∶YVO₄ crystal. The results show that Nd∶GdYAG is a promising new laser crystal material.

Key words: laser crystal, Nd∶GdYAG, spectral analysis, Judd-Ofelt theory, thermal conductivity

CLC Number:

O734
O657.3

DOU Renqin, LIU Yao, LUO Jianqiao, WANG Xiaofei, LIU Wenpeng, ZHANG Qingli. Spectral Analysis and Thermal Properties of Nd∶GdYAG Laser Crystal[J]. JOURNAL OF SYNTHETIC CRYSTALS, 2024, 53(9): 1504-1511.

References

[1] ZHANG H L, SUN D L, LUO J Q, et al. Crystal growth, structure, defect, and spectroscopic properties of the Nd³⁺-doped Y_2.8ScAl_4.2O₁₂ single crystal[J]. Optical Materials, 2020, 108: 110423.
[2] CHEN Y W, SUN D L, ZHANG H L, et al. 2.79 μm Cr, Er∶YSGG laser with a high energy realized by thermal bonding and concave end-face[J]. Optics & Laser Technology, 2023, 162: 109255.
[3] 于浩海, 潘忠奔, 张怀金, 等. 无序激光晶体及其超快激光研究进展[J]. 人工晶体学报, 2021, 50(4): 648-668.
YU H H, PAN Z B, ZHANG H J, et al. Development of disordered laser crystals and their ultrafast lasers[J]. Journal of Synthetic Crystals, 2021, 50(4): 648-668 (in Chinese).
[4] LI H Y, SUN D L, ZHANG H L, et al. Effect of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺/Zr⁴⁺ concentrations on the characteristics of substituted gadolinium gallium garnet single crystals with large lattice parameter[J]. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2023, 965: 171467.
[5] BARNES N P, WALSH B M, HUTCHESON R L, et al. Pulsed ⁴F_3/2-⁴I_9/2 operation of Nd lasers[J]. Journal of the Optical Society of America B, 1999, 16(12): 2169.
[6] LIU Y, NI J S, SHANG Y, et al. High-pulse-energy passively Q-switched 1, 123 nm laser with a Nd∶GdYAG mixed garnet as laser medium[J]. Journal of Russian Laser Research, 2018, 39(6): 608-612.
[7] FENG C, LIU Z J, CONG Z H, et al. Low threshold high stability passively mode-locked laser performance of a disordered crystal: Nd³⁺∶Gd_0.5Y_2.5Al₅O₁₂[J]. Chinese Optics Letters, 2016, 14(11): 111402-111406.
[8] ZHANG S, XU L, WANG M, et al. Continuous wave and passively Q-switched laser performance of the mixed crystal Nd∶Lu_0.15Y_0.85VO₄[J]. Laser Physics Letters, 2010, 7(5): 339-342.
[9] DI J Q, XU X D, LI D Z, et al. CW laser properties of Nd∶GdYAG, Nd∶LuYAG, and Nd∶GdLuAG mixed crystals[J]. Laser Physics, 2011, 21(10): 1742-1744.
[10] ZHOU D H, XU X D, MENG J Q, et al. Spectroscopic analysis and lasing properties of Nd∶Y_2.5Gd_0.5Al₅O₁₂ crystals[J]. Laser Physics Letters, 2011, 8(3): 201-204.
[11] 严希滚. LD泵浦Nd∶GdYAG混晶激光特性研究[D]. 厦门: 厦门大学, 2018.
YAN X G. Research on the laser properties of diode-pumped Nd∶GdYAG lasers[D].Xiamen: Xiamen University, 2018 (in Chinese).
[12] 崔琴, 林洪沂, 黄晓桦. 掺Nd³⁺混晶全固态激光器研究进展[J]. 激光与红外, 2023, 53(4): 483-494.
CUI Q, LIN H Y, HUANG X H. Research progress on Nd³⁺-doped mixed crystal all-solid-state lasers[J]. Laser & Infrared, 2023, 53(4): 483-494 (in Chinese).
[13] DOU R Q, HUANG L, LIU Y, et al. Crystal growth and laser properties of gradual concentration Nd-doped yttrium aluminum garnet serial crystals[J]. Optics & Laser Technology, 2024, 170: 110227.
[14] JUDD B R. Optical absorption intensities of rare-earth ions[J]. Physical Review, 1962, 127(3): 750-761.
[15] OFELT G S. Intensities of crystal spectra of rare-earth ions[J]. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 1962, 37(3): 511-520.
[16] KRUPKE W. Radiative transition probabilities within the ⁴f₃ ground configuration of Nd∶YAG[J]. IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 1971, 7(4): 153-159.
[17] 李江, 杨志勇, 吴玉松, 等. Nd³⁺离子掺杂YAG激光透明陶瓷的光谱性质及Judd-Ofelt理论分析[J]. 无机材料学报, 2008, 23(3): 429-433.
LI J, YANG Z Y, WU Y S, et al. Spectroscopic properties and judd-ofelt theory analysis of Nd∶YAG transparent laser ceramic[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2008, 23(3): 429-433 (in Chinese).
[18] KRUPKE W F, SHINN M D, MARION J E, et al. Spectroscopic, optical, and thermomechanical properties of neodymium- and chromium-doped gadolinium scandium gallium garnet[J]. Journal of the Optical Society of America B Optical Physics, 1986, 3(1): 102-114.
[19] 郭丽花, 杨文琴, 杨俊杰, 等. 掺Nd³⁺的YVO₄、KYW晶体结构与吸收光谱性能研究比较[J]. 福建师范大学学报(自然科学版), 2008, 24(1): 50-54.
GUO L H, YANG W Q, YANG J J, et al. Comparison for the structure and spectral properties of Nd∶YVO₄, Nd∶KYW crystals[J]. Journal of Fujian Normal University (Natural Science Edition), 2008, 24(1): 50-54 (in Chinese).
[20] 王晓丹, 徐晓东, 臧涛成, 等. Nd∶Lu₃Al₅O₁₂晶体的生长与光谱性能研究[J]. 无机材料学报, 2010, 25(4): 435-440.
WANG X D, XU X D, ZANG T C, et al. Growth and spectral properties of Nd∶Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ crystal[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2010, 25(4): 435-440 (in Chinese).
[21] 黄磊, 张庆礼, 罗建乔, 等. Nd∶GSAG晶体生长、结构、光谱及激光性能[J]. 中国激光, 2023, 50(23): 71-79.
HUANG L, ZHANG Q L, LUO J Q, et al. Growth, structure, spectroscopy, and laser performance of Nd∶GSAG crystals[J]. Chinese Journal of Lasers, 2023, 50(23): 71-79 (in Chinese).
[22] 王国富, 吴少凡. 掺钕钒酸钇激光晶体的研制和开发[J]. 中国材料进展, 2010, 29(10): 25-29.
WANG G F, WU S F. Research and development of neodymium doped yttrium vanadate laser crystal[J]. Materials China, 2010, 29(10): 25-29 (in Chinese).
[23] 王保松, 江海河, 贾先德, 等. 掺杂YAG和GGG激光晶体热导率研究[J]. 激光技术, 2007, 31(2): 141-143.
WANG B S, JIANG H H, JIA X D, et al. Study on thermal conductivity of the YAG and GGG laser crystal[J]. Laser Technology, 2007, 31(2): 141-143 (in Chinese).