Crystal growth, optical properties, and continuous-wave laser operation of Nd3+-doped Lu2SiO5 crystal

High quality Nd3+‐doped Lu2SiO5 (Nd:LSO) crystal has been grown by the Czochralski technique. The cell parameters were analyzed with X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Room temperature absorption and fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetime of the Nd:LSO crystal were measured and analyzed. The Judd‐Ofelt intensity parameters Ω2,4,6 were obtained tobe 2.59, 4.90, and 5.96×10–20 cm2, respectively. The absorption and emission cross sections and the branching ratios were calculated. The peak emission cross section is 5.8 and 6.6×10–20 cm2 at 1075 and 1079 nm, respectively, with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 2.8 and 5.1 nm in turn. Pumped by a laser diode, a maximum 2.54 W continuous‐wave laser output has been obtained with a slope efficiency of 32%. All the results show that this crystal is a promising laser material. (© 2011 by Astro Ltd., Published exclusively by WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA) (© 2010 by Astro Ltd., Published exclusively by WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA)