Nd-doped yttrium aluminum garnet with improved fluorescent lifetime of the 4F3/2 state

Abstract
YAG:Nd polycrystals have been prepared in which the fluorescent lifetime of the 4F3/2 state is ∼420 μsec, in excellent agreement with the previously measured cross section and branching ratios. When such polycrystals are either fused or used to pull single crystals from melt, the fluorescent lifetime is reduced to ∼280 μsec. This is attributed to the creation of defects at high temperatures which can act as quenching centers. Various mechanisms for nonradiative decay of 4F3/2 are also discussed.