Neodymium doped yttrium orthovanadate

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Neodymium doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO₄) is one of the active laser medium for diode laser-pumped solid-state lasers. It comes as a transparent blue-tinted material. It is birefringent, therefore the rods made of it are usually rectangular.

[edit] Basic Properties

Atomic Density: ~1.37x10²⁰ atoms/cm²

Crystal Structure:
- Zircon Tetragonal(Tetragonal Bipyramidal)
- space group D_4h
- a=b=7.12, c=6.29

Density: 4.22 g/cm²

Mohs scale of mineral hardness: Glass-like, ~5

Thermal Expansion Coefficient:
- α_a=4.43x10^-6/K
- α_c=11.37x10^-6/K

Thermal Conductivity Coefficient:
- parallel to C-axis: 5.23 W/m/K
- perpendicular to C-axis: 5.10 W/m/K

[edit] Optical Properties

Lasing Wavelengths : 914nm, 1064 nm, 1342 nm

Crystal class : positive uniaxial, n_o=n_a=n_b, n_e=n_c,
- n_o=1.9573, n_e=2.1652, @ 1064nm
- n_o=1.9721, n_e=2.1858, @ 808nm
- n_o=2.0210, n_e=2.2560, @ 532nm

Fluorescence lifetime (Spontaneous Emission Lifetime) as a function of Nd ions concentration

Nd concentration (atom %)	Fluorescence lifetime (μs)@ 1064nm	Reference
0.4	110	J. Appl. Phys. 49, 5517-5522 (1978).
1.0	100	CASTECH web site[1]
1.1	90	CASIX web site[2]
2.0	50	CASIX web site[3]