Optical parameters and luminescent properties of Nd : GdVO4 crystals

Based on the quantum electrodynamics and using Einstein's coefficient and P lanck's energy density, the stimulated emission cross section was given. Th e measured absorption of 0.5 at. % Nd-doped Nd:GdVO4 crystal was compared t o the Judd-Ofelt (JO) theory. When applied, the JO theory of parity-forbidd en electric-dipole transitions of rare-earth ions on noncentrosymmetric sit e lacking inversion symmetry demonstrates good agreement. An absorption ban d around 808 nm is suitable to match laser diode pumping. The branching rat io of the fluorescence emission and stimulated emission cross section at th e emissive wavelength of 1064 nm are of great advantage to produce a laser output. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.