Energy-level structure and spectral analysis of Nd3+ in GdNbO4 crystal

A detailed crystal-field splitting analysis is given for the 22 lowest-energy multiplet manifolds of Nd3+ (4f3) in GdNbO4 crystal. The absorption spectra obtained at room temperature, excitation spectra obtained at 8 K in the wavelength range of 280-900 nm, and emission spectra obtained between 8 K and room temperature in the wavelength range of 950-1420 nm are analyzed for transitions between individual energy (Stark) levels. Based on the excitation and absorption spectra, all of the 63 Stark levels associated with these manifolds are identified by transitions from the ground state Stark level 4I9/2 (Z1) to excited stark levels. Based on the emission spectra, the emitting stark level 4F3/2 (R1) to the stark levels in the manifolds of 4I9/2, 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 are obtained. The effective Judd-Ofelt parameters are calculated to be:6.126, 1.561, and 2.8071 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. All of the obtained energy level and spectroscopic parameters have great significance for the in-depth research of a new laser crystal of Nd:GdNbO4.