Spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ in orthorhombic δ-BiB3O6 crystal

► Nd3+ ions absorption in orthorhombic BiB3O6 crystal is measured for the first time. ► Judd–Ofelt parameters and parameters of possible lasing transitions are determined. ► The Nd:δ-BiBO crystal is shown to be favorable for lasing at 1.3 microns wavelength. Absorption spectra of the Nd3+ ions in an orthorhombic δ-BiB3O6 single crystal were measured in the spectral range 11,000–20,500cm−1. The f–f transition intensities were analyzed in terms of the Judd–Ofelt theory, and the following parameters of the theory were obtained: Ω2=6.35×10−20cm2, Ω4=4.86×10−20cm2, and Ω6=11.233×10−20cm2. The strengths, spontaneous emission probabilities, branching ratios, spectroscopic quality factor and excited state radiative lifetime were calculated for laser transitions from the 4F3/2 state to 4IJ manifold. Spectroscopic properties of Nd3+:δ-BiB3O6 crystal favor lasing at 1.3μm, where this crystal possesses near non-critical phase matching for second harmonic generation.