Discrimination in inhomogeneously broadened emission spectra of neodymium by resonance laser excitation

Resonance selective excitation of the metastable state of neodymium was achieved in silicate glass. A high degree of selection in inhomogeneously broadened emission spectra was obtained. The positions of all five Stark components of the ground state were established and their dependence on the value of the exciting radiation quantum within an inhomogeneously broadened spectral profile was determined. An investigation was made of the evolution of resonance radiation spectra as a function of the temperature and also of the wavelength, and spectral width of the exciting radiation. It was concluded that in order to improve the energy characteristics of neodymium-glass laser systems, it is advisable to broaden the spectrum of the pulse being amplified to approx.120 cm/sup -1/.