Laser site-selective spectroscopy of Nd3+-doped Y2SiO5

Abstract

We report on laser site-selective spectroscopy, as well as high resolution, infrared to optical absorption, of both the six and seven -fold coordinated, C1 symmetry sites for Nd3+ doped Y2SiO5. A total of fifty three crystal-field energy levels have been determined for both sites. We also present the temperature dependencies of the spectral linewidth and line position as measured in absorption. The coupling coefficients due to Raman two-phonon and direct one-phonon processes are interpreted in terms of the phonon energies contributing and their roles in the phonon energy distribution of Y2SiO5. Finally, we analyse direct non-radiative relaxation processes as inferred from the temperature-dependent fluorescence lifetimes.