Spectroscopic characterization and laser performance of Nd:LuVO4 single crystal

Nd:LuVO4 single crystal has been grown by Czochralski method. Optical absorption bands of Nd:LuVO4 crystal have been measured and assigned to transitions between the energy levels of Nd3+. From the optical absorption measurements, intensity parameters (Ωt (t = 2, 4, 6)) have been calculated and the results were Ω2 = 7.182 × 10−20, Ω4 = 5.990 × 10−20 and Ω6 = 5.779 × 10−20 cm2 by using Judd–Ofelt theory, respectively. Radiative lifetimes (τrad.), branching ratios of the fluorescence emission (βJ″J′βJ″J′) and the integrated emission cross-section ∑(J″→J′)∑(J″→J′) have also been theoretically estimated and reported for certain fluorescent levels. The thermal, optical and laser properties of Nd:LuVO4 crystal are compared with those of Nd:YVO4 and Nd:GdVO4 crystals, and the results show that Nd:LuVO4 crystal is a potential laser crystal.