Sensitization of neodymium ion luminescence by chromium ions in a Gd3Ga5O12 crystal

An investigation is reported of the spectral, luminescence, and lasing properties of a Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ crystal activated with chromium and neodymium ions. The high efficiency of the energy transfer process from chromium to neodymium ions is demonstrated. For example, the probability of an elementary Cr³⁺–Nd³⁺ interaction event in a Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ crystal was 12 times higher than that in a Y₃Al₅O₁₂ crystal. It was found that sensitization of neodymium ion luminescence by chromium ions can increase severalfold the energy characteristics of cw and pulsed neodymium lasers. An investigation of the free-lasing parameters shows that the ultimate differential lasing efficiency of neodymium in a Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂:Cr:Nd crystal is 3.6 times higher than that for a YAG:Nd crystal under comparable conditions.