Optical spectroscopy of Nd3+ in LiLa9(SiO4)6O2 crystals

Abstract LiLa9(SiO4)6O2 (LLS) crystals activated with Nd3+ have been grown from a lithium molybdate flux. Their absorption and emission spectra and fluorescence decay profiles have been measured at different temperatures. The spectra are affected by a significant inhomogeneous broadening as a consequence of the partial disorder of the crystal structure. The room temperature absorption spectra have been analyzed using the Judd–Ofelt approach. The Ω2, Ω4 and Ω6 intensity parameters have been evaluated and used to calculate the spontaneous emission probabilities, the branching ratios and the radiative lifetime for the 4F3/2 emitting level. These values have been compared with the experimental decay time in order to estimate the effect of the non-radiative processes in this material.