Optical absorption intensity analysis and emission cross sections for the intermanifold and the inter-Stark transitions of Nd3+(4f 3) in polycrystalline ceramic Y2O3

Spectroscopic properties have been characterized for trivalent neodymium doped polycrystalline ceramic ytttria, Nd3+:Y2O3. The Judd-Ofelt [Phys. Rev. 127, 750 (1962); J. Chem. Phys. 37, 511 (1962)] analysis has been applied to the room temperature absorption spectrum to determine the radiative decay rates and branching ratios of Nd3+ transitions from the F-4(3/2) metastable manifold to the I-4(J) lower-lying multiplet manifolds. The quantum efficiency is determined from the measured fluorescence lifetime and the radiative lifetime of the F-4(3/2) manifold state. In addition, a detailed characterization of the Stark energy levels of the I-4(9/2) and I-4(11/2) manifolds has been performed using the room temperature fluorescence spectra for the F-4(3/2)-> I-4(9/2) and F-4(3/2)-> I-4(11/2) transitions of Nd3+(4f(3)) in ceramic Y2O3. The emission cross sections of the F-4(3/2)-> I-4(9/2) and F-4(3/2)-> I-4(11/2) intermanifold transitions have been determined. Also, the peak emission cross sections of the principal inter-Stark peak transitions R-1 -> X-5 and R-1 -> Y-2 have been determined. Finally, the spectroscopic properties of ceramic Nd3+:Y2O3 are compared with those of ceramic Nd3+:YAG as well as single crystals of Nd3+:Y2O3 and Nd3+:YAG. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.