Characterization of Nd:GdVO4 crystals for high-efficiency diode-pumped lasers

Ivan Alexandrov Shcherbakov; Alexander I. Zagumennyi

doi:10.1117/12.203632

1 March 1995 Characterization of Nd:GdVO₄ crystals for high-efficiency diode-pumped lasers

Ivan Alexandrov Shcherbakov, Alexander I. Zagumennyi

Proceedings Volume 2498, Laser Methods of Surface Treatment and Modification: ALT '94 International Conference; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.203632
Event: Laser Methods of Surface Treatment and Modification: ALT '94 International Conference, 1994, Konstanz, Germany

Abstract

In this paper we report about the growing and laser operation of Nd:GdVO₄. From a technological point of view this material has a number of advantages, which open the possibility for the growth of this large size crystal for mass production. In the last few years a handful of neodymium-doped vanadium-based crystals have been identified as potential successors to Nd:YAG. These crystals include yttrium orthovanadate (YVO₄), gadolinium orthovanadate, (GdVO₄) and strontium fluorovanadate (SVAP or Sr₅(VO₄)₃F). All are promising substitutes for Nd:YAG in diode-pumped laser products. The laser cross section for the vanadate crystals range from 1.8 to 5.6 times greater than ND:YAG. They also maintain a strong singleline emission with nearly the same peak wavelength as Nd:YAG. The vanadate crystals are uniaxial, producing only polarized laser output, thus undesirable thermally induced birefringence. In addition, the peak pump wavelength for all crystals is 808 nm, the standard wavelength of currently manufactured high power diodes for laser pumping. Broad pump bandwidths of Nd³⁺ ions in vanadate laser materials mean more efficient pumping operation at a wider range of temperatures and a range of diode specifications, resulting in a less-expensive product. For the first time in work at Moscow General Physics Institute (GPI) and the Institute of Laser Physics (Hamburg, Germany) Nd:GdVO₄ was examined in a diode-pumped laser.

Citation Download Citation

Ivan Alexandrov Shcherbakov and Alexander I. Zagumennyi "Characterization of Nd:GdVO₄ crystals for high-efficiency diode-pumped lasers", Proc. SPIE 2498, Laser Methods of Surface Treatment and Modification: ALT '94 International Conference, (1 March 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.203632

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