Energy transfer and sensitization of Nd3+ using Eu3+ and Sm3+ for Nd laser application

In order to obtain a high laser efficiency from Xe pumped Nd laser systems, a novel cavity filter glass doped with Eu3+ and Sm3+ was investigated using a phosphate host. Sm3+, which served to inhibit ASE also was found to strongly transfer its energy to the Eu3+. The Eu3+ emits an efficient red emission from the 5D0 yields 7F1 transition which is located exactly at the Nd3+ absorption band and therein radiatively sensitizes the Nd laser emission. The energy transfer and back transfer of these two rare-earth ions in phosphate will be discussed. This doubly-doped phosphate glass cavity samples produced an increase in output power by 50 percent over undoped filters in a Xe pumped pulsed Nd:glass laser system.