Neodymium and gadolinium diffusion in yttrium vanadate

Abstract

The thermal diffusion of Nd³⁺ and Gd³⁺ ions in YVO₄ is characterised, finding diffusion rates of 7x10⁻¹⁹ and 44x10⁻¹⁹ m²s⁻¹ respectively at 1400°C, and activation energies of 5.3x10⁻¹⁹ and 2.9x10⁻¹⁹ J respectively, for diffusion along the c-axis. The fluorescence properties of the Nd³⁺-diffused YVO₄ agree well with those of bulk doped materials. The formation of a planar optical waveguide was also observed for one of the Nd³⁺-diffused samples. This characterisation is a significant first step towards fabrication of waveguide lasers and amplifiers in this important laser material.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B (2002) Vol.19 pp.33-36

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