Fluorescence Properties of Nd : CeF₃ Crystals

Four Nd : CeF₃ crystals doped with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt.% Nd³⁺ are grown, their absorption and fluorescence spectra are measured. The absorption bands of Nd : CeF₃ are much wider than that of Nd: YAG. The absorption peak at 353nm does not depend on Nd³⁺ concentration linearly and there exists no concentration quenching effect while Nd³⁺ concentration is less than 2.0wt.%. The fluorescence lifetime and the effective stimulated cross section are measured, respectively, as T_r = 300μs and σ_c = 2.4 x 10^-20 cm².