Nd~(3+)-doped lead lanthanum zirconate titanate transparent ferroelectric ceramic as a laser material: Energy transfer and stimulated emission

摘要

An investigation of the spectroscopic characteristics of high optical quality Nd~(3+)-doped lead lanthanum zirconate titanate transparent ferroelectric ceramics was done to evaluate its potentiality as a near-infrared laser active host. Nonradiative losses that could compromise laser action were quantified in terms of the Judd-Ofelt theory, the Dexter model for ion-ion energy transfer and by measuring excited state absorptions. It was verified that under low power 0.8 μm diode pumping, ion-ion energy transfers are negligible and the system presents η=0.87. Stimulated emission was observed at 1.06 μm (σ_(SE)=3.5 X 10~(-20) cm~2) with no influence of ESA transitions.