Optical parameters and luminescent properties of Nd:GdVO4 crystals

Based on the quantum electrodynamics and using Einstein's coefficient and Planck's energy density, the stimulated emission cross section was given. The measured absorption of 0.5 at. % Nd-doped Nd:GdVO4 crystal was compared to the Judd-Ofelt (JO) theory. When applied, the JO theory of parity-forbidden electric-dipole transitions of rare-earth ions on noncentrosymmetric site lacking inversion symmetry demonstrates good agreement. An absorption band around 808 nm is suitable to match laser diode pumping. The branching ratio of the fluorescence emission and stimulated emission cross section at the emissive wavelength of 1064 nm are of great advantage to produce a laser output. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.