Spectroscopic properties and laser performance of Nd$sup 3+$ in lanthanum beryllate

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Appl. Phys., v. 47, no. 4, pp. 1496-1500

OSTI ID:4074173

Jenssen, H P; Begley, R F; Webb, R; Morris, R C

The neodymium-doped lanthanum beryllate (La$sub 2$Be$sub 2$$O$$sub 5$ : Nd$sup 3+$ or BEL : Nd) laser crystal is monoclinic, space group C$sub 2$/subh/ $sup 6$-C2/c. The fundamental vibration directions of light and the corresponding refractive indices have been determined as a function of wavelength. At 1 $mu$m the indices are n/subX/=1.9641, n/subY/=1.9974, and n/subZ/=2.0348. The energy levels of Nd$sup 3+$ for the five lowest manifolds are presented. The low concentration limit for the Nd$sup 3+$ $sup 4$$F$$sub 3$$/$$sub 2$ fluorescent lifetime in this crystal is 150 $mu$sec and the two observed laser transitions have stimulated emission cross sections of 2.1x10$sup -19$ cm$sup 2$ for EparallelX and 1.5x10$sup -19$ cm$sup 2$ for EparallelY. The laser wavelengths are 1.070 and 1.079 $mu$m, respectively. In laser testing a higher slope efficiency was obtained in La$sub 2$Be$sub 2$$O$$sub 5$ : Nd than in Y$sub 3$Al$sub 5$$O$$sub 12$ : Nd (YAG : Nd). A Q-switched output of 450 mJ from a 6.4-mm-diam by 76-mm-long X-axis rod of BEL : Nd has been achieved for the 1.079-$mu$m transition, while a YAG : Nd rod of the same size in the same system yielded 160 mJ. The higher Q-switched output in BEL : Nd is consistent with the lower stimulated emission cross sections as compared to that of YAG : Nd.

• Research Organization: Allied Chemical Corporation, Morristown, New Jersey 07960
• NSA Number: NSA-33-028954
• OSTI ID: 4074173
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys., v. 47, no. 4, pp. 1496-1500, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

N42210* -Engineering-Facilities & Equipment-Lasers
420300* -Engineering-Lasers
*NEODYMIUM LASERS- EFFICIENCY
BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS
CROSS SECTIONS
DOPED MATERIALS
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
FLUORESCENCE
LANTHANUM COMPOUNDS
NEODYMIUM IONS
OXIDES
PERFORMANCE
Q-SWITCHING
REFRACTION
STIMULATED EMISSION