Optical absorption spectroscopy of Nd3+ in the Ca3Ga2Ge3O12 laser garnet crystal

Abstract

A systematic investigation of the optical absorption of the Nd3+ ion in the Ca3Ga2Ge3O12:Nd3+ garnet (CCGG:Nd) crystal is presented. An assignment of the Stark energy levels was carried out assuming a D-2 symmetry site for the Nd3+ ions in CGGG:Nd, Some relevant spectroscopy parameters for laser applications: radiative lifetime, branching ratios and quantum efficiency from the F-4(3/2) emitting state were estimated using the Judd-Ofelt theory. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.