Nd3+ active sites in Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 lasers

Abstract

The fluorescence (excitation and emission) spectra of Nd3+ in Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 have been systematically investigated in order to identify the Nd3+ sites responsible for the two, π (1.085 μm) and σ (1.093 μm), infrared laser lines. Experimental results reveal that Nd3+ ions entering both Li+ and Nb5+ lattice sites are responsible for the π emission line (1.085 μm), whereas Nd3+ ions perturbed by close Mg2+ ions, called Nd-Mg sites, are the sites producing the σ emission line (1.093 μm).