SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF ND3+ IN CAF2

A spectroscopic investigation of Nd3+ in calcium fluoride host is perf ormed to assess its feasibility for laser action. The Judd-Ofelt theor y is applied to measured values of absorption line strengths to obtain the intensity parameters: OMEGA2 = 0.87 x 10(-20) CM2, OMEGA4 = 3.44 X 10(-20) cm2, and OMEGA6 = 9.47 x 10(-20) cm2. These intensity parame ters are used to calculate the line strengths for excited-state emissi on from the metastable F-4(3/2) state to the 4I(J), manifolds. The cal culated line strengths are then used to predict the radiative decay ra tes and branching ratios. The radiative lifetime of the metastable sta te is predicted to be 190 mus. Finally, the important working paramete r X = OMEGA4/OMEGA6, known as spectroscopic quality factor, for this s ample is calculated and compared with those of other Nd3+-based laser crystals.