Polarized spectral properties and potential application of large-size Nd³⁺:Ba₃Gd₂(BO₃)₄ crystal

The Nd³⁺-doped Ba₃Gd₂(BO₃)₄ crystal with high optical quality and large size is reported in this paper. The growing processes and characteristics of Nd³⁺:Ba₃Gd₂(BO₃)₄ crystal are discussed. The absorption and luminescence spectra of Nd³⁺ in Ba₃Gd₂(BO₃)₄ crystal were measured at room temperature. The luminescence decay curve in correspondence with the ⁴F_3/2 →⁴I_11/2 transition centered at 1062 nm was also measured. The JO intensity parameters Ω_t (t = 2,4,6) were calculated to be Ω₂ = 1.263, Ω₄ = 2.496, Ω₆ = 3.606. The radiative lifetime τ_r and fluorescence lifetime τ_f are 317.771 and 115 μs respectively, and the fluorescence quantum efficiency is 37.1%. (paper)