Crystal growth, Judd–Ofelt analysis and radiative properties of Nd:YAG single crystal grown by HDS

Nd3+-doped Y3Al5O12 single crystal was successfully grown by horizontal directional solidification (HDS) method; in addition optical absorption and fluorescence spectra were measured at room temperature. Base on the Judd–Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters of Nd3+ in YAG crystal grown by HDS were determined, and then three spectroscopic parameter Ωt (t=2,4,6), radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime and branching ratios were obtained according to the absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra, and the results were discussed as well. Furthermore, the stimulated emission cross-section of 4F3/2–4I11/2 transition of Nd3+ in YAG crystal grown by the HDS technique was calculated as 17.86×10−20 cm2. In comparison with Nd:YAG crystal grown by the Czochraiski technique, those results indicated that lowly Nd3+-doped YAG crystal grown by HDS method had highly efficient stimulated emission for laser materials. -- Highlights: ► The intensity parameters of Nd3+ in YAG crystal grown by the HDS were determined base on the Judd–Ofelt theory. ► The spectroscopic quality factor Ω4/Ω6 was stimulated to be 0.6497. ► Radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime and branching ratios were estimated. ► The emission cross-section calculated for the 4F3/2→4I11/2 transition was 17.86×10−20 cm2