Development, Spectral Properties and Lasing of the 1 - 4 at. % Nd3+ Doped Y3Al5O12 Ceramics

The properties of the highly-doped Nd3+ (1-4 at. %):YAG optical ceramics obtained by reactive sintering procedure are reported. Absorption spectra of the various Nd3+ concentration samples were measured in the wide spectral range of 250–1200 nm. At least 11 lines of various intensities were found in the range 780–820 nm where absorption transitions from ground state to 4F9/2 and 4F5/2 occur. Luminescence spectra were measured in 800-1200 nm wavelength range where main lasing radiation transitions took place. It was found that lasing properties manifest the optical efficiency 16, 18 and 9% for the samples with Nd3+ concentration of 1, 2 and 4 at. %, respectively.