Reabsorption cross section of Nd 3+ -doped quasi-three-level lasers

Abstract

The 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 9/2 laser transition of Nd 3+ -doped crystals emitting at 900 nm is a standard quasi-three-level laser system. The reabsorption effect is one of the factors that restricts laser output power. Based on rate equations, a theoretical model considering the reabsorption effect for continuous-wave Nd 3+ -doped quasi-three-level lasers is established. The simulation results indicate that the reabsorption effect should be restrained to improve laser characteristics, which are mainly influenced by the Nd 3+ -doping concentration, laser medium length, pumping beam divergence angle and output mirror transmissivity. The optimal experimental results illustrate the availability of a theoretical model that considers the reabsorption effect. To quantitatively evaluate the reabsorption effect of a Nd 3+ -doped laser medium, a reabsorption cross section is proposed for the first time to the best of our knowledge. Comparing the experimental results and theoretical calculation results, the reabsorption cross section is estimated for a 912-nm Nd:GdVO 4 laser, 914-nm Nd:YVO 4 laser and 946-nm Nd:YAG laser.