The 4F3/2 → 4I13/2 transition property of Nd: La0.05Lu0.95VO4 crystal

For Nd: LaxLu1-xVO4 (x = 0.05) crystal, the F-4(3/2) -> 2 -> I-4(3/2) transition property was investigated for the first time. The fluorescence peak of Nd: La0.05Lu0.95VO4 crystal exhibited inhomogeneous broadening comparing with that of Nd: LuVO4 crystal. With a laser diode array as the pump source, continuous- wave (CW) and active/passive Q-switched laser operation based on the F-4(3/2) -> I-4(13/2) transition was realized. For CW laser operation, the maximum output powers of 0.561 and 0.718 W were obtained with slope efficiencies of 11.3% and 12.5% and optical- to- optical conversion efficiencies of 8.9% and 7.7%, respectively, for a and c cut crystal samples. For acousto- optic/ passively Q- switched laser operation, the shortest pulse width, highest peak power and maximum pulse energy reached 44 ns, 273 W and 12 similar to J, and 41 ns, 199 W and 8 : 2 similar to J, respectively. Our research has indicated that Nd:LaxLu1-xVO4 is a promising gain medium for mode- locked laser operation at 1 : 34 mu m.