Nd 3 + -doped lead lanthanum zirconate titanate transparent ferroelectric ceramic as a laser material: Energy transfer and stimulated emission

An investigation of the spectroscopic characteristics of high optical quality Nd3+-doped lead lanthanum zirconate titanate transparent ferroelectric ceramics was done to evaluate its potentiality as a near-infrared laser active host. Nonradiative losses that could compromise laser action were quantified in terms of the Judd-Ofelt theory, the Dexter model for ion–ion energy transfer and by measuring excited state absorptions. It was verified that under low power 0.8μm diode pumping, ion–ion energy transfers are negligible and the system presents η=0.87. Stimulated emission was observed at 1.06μm (σSE=3.5×10−20cm2) with no influence of ESA transitions.