Estimation of low-temperature spectra behavior in Nd-doped Sc2SiO5 single crystal

High optical quality Nd-doped Sc(2)SiO(5) crystal with size of diameter 27 mm x 60 mm was obtained by Czochralski method. An x-ray diffraction pattern of Nd:SSO crystal confirmed that the as-grown crystal was isostructual with the SSO crystal. Absorption and emission spectra were recorded at 10 K. The Judd-Ofelt theory was applied to obtain standard parameters Omega t(t=2,4,6) and the fitting result of experimental absorption line strengths, which provided the F3/24 radiative lifetime (tau(rad)) of 219 micros and the luminescence branching ratio beta of 0.57 for the (4)F(3/2)-(4)I(9/2) laser transition. The stimulated emission cross section of 1.04 x 10(-19) cm(2) at 1074 nm was calculated using the Füchtbauer-Ladenburg equation. The (4)F(3/2) luminescence lifetimes with 215 micros at 10 K and 198 micros at 300 K were determined from luminescence decay curves, indicating high quantum efficiency in the Nd:SSO crystal. All these results showed that Nd:SSO would be a promising gain media in solid-state lasers.