Optical assessment on a new self-frequency doubling crystal: neodymium-doped lanthanum calcium borate

Abstract

A new, to our knowledge, neodymium-doped lanthanum calcium borate crystal (Nd3+:La2CaB10O19, Nd:LCB) has been grown by the flux method. The spectroscopic parameters for Nd:LCB crystal have also been calculated based on Judd-Ofelt theory. The intensity parameters Omega_t are Omega_2 = 4.96×10^−20 cm², Omega_4 = 3.94×10^−20 cm², and Omega_6 = 3.71×10^−20 cm². The radiative lifetime taur is 349 µs. The absorption band at 800 nm has a FWHM of 12 nm. The absorption cross section is sigmaa = 2.40×10^−20 cm², and the emission cross sections at 1070 nm are sigma_X = 3.02×10^−19 cm², sigma_Y = 2.33×10^−19 cm², and sigma_Z = 2.68×10^−19 cm². The measured fluorescence lifetime tauf is 64 µs, and the quantum efficiency epsilon is 18.3%. In comparison with other Nd-doped laser crystals, the calculated parameters show that Nd:LCB crystal satisfies the fundamental spectral condition for laser emission.