High-pressure luminescence in Nd³⁺-doped MgO:LiNbO₃

Abstract

Optical properties of Nd³⁺-doped MgO:LiNbO₃ have been intensively studied during the last years because of its potential applications as a multifunctional non-linear laser system capable, for example, of multi-frequency laser light generation. In order to exploit fully the advantages of this system, a complete knowledge of its excited state dynamics is required. The application of high-hydrostatic pressure is a powerful technique to study the influence of the changing strength of the crystal field on the spectroscopic properties of luminescent centers in crystals. We have studied the dependence of the emission bands and the lifetimes of the metastable ⁴F_3/2 state of Nd³⁺ on hydrostatic pressure.

Keywords:

• Nd³⁺
• Luminescence
• Phase transition
• Pressure
• Decay rate

Acknowledgements

This work has been partially supported by ‘Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia’ (MAT 2004-6868).