Growth, spectroscopic properties and 1060 nm laser operation of Nd:GdPO4 crystal

Abstract A Nd:GdPO4 single crystal with dimensions of 31 × 13 × 10 mm3 was grown by the top-seeded solution method. Polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra of the crystal were measured at room temperature and analyzed based on the Judd-Ofelt theory. The effects of the energy transfer and energy migration processes on the fluorescence lifetime of the 4F3/2 multiplet of Nd3+ were discussed, as well as the concentration-dependent fluorescence quenching effect was also investigated. End-pumped by a quasi-continuous-wave 790 nm laser diode, a 1060 nm laser with a maximum output peak power of 1.12 W and a slope efficiency of 21.9% was obtained in a Nd:GdPO4 crystal at an absorbed pump peak power of 5.39 W.