Nd3+ laser spectral dynamics in CaF2-YF3-NdF3 crystals

A spectral and dynamical study of the spontaneous and stimulated emissions of the yttrofluorite crystal CaF2-YF3(5%)-NdF3(2%) which proves the existen ce of two maim sites for the rare earth ion is presented. Flash-lamp pumped laser experiments show the existence of two laser output lines centred at 1054 and 1063 nm which do not coincide with the spectral position of two of the resolved sites. The dependence of the time-resolved laser output energ y and relative intensities of both lines on the pump energy suggests the ex istence of some kind of coupling among both emissions produced by the stimu lated emission field itself. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.