Optical Spectra and Laser Action of Neodymium in a Crystal Ba0.25Mg2.75Y2 Ge3O12

Abstract
Crystals of the garnet structured germanate Ba0.25Mg2.75Y2Ge3O12 have been grown doped with 2% Nd3+. The absorption, fluorescence, and excitation spectra have been measured at 300°K. The lifetime of the 4F3/2 state of the neodymium ion is 305 μsec at 300°K. Laser action was achieved at 1061.5 nm at room temperature.