Comparative study on the spectroscopic properties of Nd:GdVO4 and Nd:YVO4 with hybrid process

We have proposed a hybrid procedure for determining spectroscopic parameters for uniaxial solid-state laser crystals. Using our procedure, the spectroscopic properties of Nd:GdVO₄ were evaluated and compared to those of Nd:YVO₄. As a result, the peaks of absorption and stimulated emission cross sections of Nd:GdVO₄ in π-polarization were determined to be 2.6 and 10.3×10^-19 cm², respectively, and were smaller than those of Nd:YVO₄. On the other hand, the fluorescence lifetime of 1 at% Nd:GdVO₄ was evaluated to be 83.4 μs, and was similar to 84.1 μs of 1 at% Nd:YVO₄. Therefore, the product of stimulated emission cross section and fluorescence lifetime (σ_emτ_f product) of Nd:GdVO₄ was smaller than that of Nd:YVO₄ under 1 at% of Nd³⁺ doping concentration. The radiative lifetime of spontaneous emission of Nd:GdVO₄ was 168 μs and was 1.9 times longer than that of Nd:YVO₄. Because of the low value of radiative quantum efficiency of Nd:GdVO₄ (50%), careful cavity design is required for creating a well performing solid-state laser with Nd:GdVO₄, based on the larger σ_emτ_f product rather than the σ_emτ_f product of Nd:YAG.