OPTICAL-ABSORPTION AND STIMULATED-EMISSION OF NEODYMIUM IN YTTRIUM LITHIUM-FLUORIDE

A spectroscopic investigation of Nd3+ in yttrium lithium fluoride was performed. Spectrally and orientationally resolved cross sections for the F-4(3/2)-I-4(11/2) and F-4(3/2)-I-4(9/2) transitions are presented. We applied the Judd-Ofelt theory to measured absorption spectra to determine the orientation-averaged intensity parameters OMEGA2 = 0.362 X 10(-20) cm2, OMEGA4 = 4.02 X 10(-20) cm2, and OMEGA6 = 4.84 X 10(-20) cm2. Using these intensity parameters, we predicted the radiative lifetime of the metastable F-4(3/2) state to be 525 mus, in excellent agreement with measured F-4(3/2) decay signatures. Finally, absorption cross-section data are presented that will be of interest to the laser designer.