Excited-state absorption spectroscopy of Nd3+: SrF2 crystals in the 1280-1320 nm spectral wavelength range

The excited-state absorption (ESA) in Nd3+:SrF2 crystals was investigated i n the 1280-1320 nm spectral wavelength range by selective laser excitation. It was found that, on excitation at wavelengths of 743 and 800.5 nm, there is no ESA in the ranges 1304-1309 and 1295-1297 nm. Weak ESA bands are obs erved in the 1297-1304 and 1309-1320 nm ranges and the differential ESA cro ss section does not exceed 0.3 x 10(-21) cm(2), The results indicate that t he ESA does not preclude the use of an Nd3+:SrF2 crystal as the amplifying medium in the wavelength range 1280-1320 nm.