Structure, spectroscopic properties and laser performance of Nd:YNbO4 at 1066 nm

Abstract

We have demonstrated continuous wave (CW) laser operation of Nd:YNbO4 crystal at 1066 nm for the first time. A maximum output power of 1.12 W with the incident power of 5.0 W is successfully achieved corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 22.4% and a slope efficiency of 24.0%. The large absorption cross section (8.7 × 10−20 cm2) and wide absorption band (6 nm) at around 808 nm indicates the good pumping efficiency by laser diodes (LD). The small emission cross section (29 × 10−20 cm2) and relative long lifetime of the 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 transition indicates good energy storage capacity of Nd:YNbO4. Moreover, the raw materials of Nd:YNbO4 are stable, thus, it can grow high-quality and large-size by Czochralski (CZ) method. Therefore the Nd:YNbO4 crystal is a potentially new laser material suitable for LD pumping.