Spectroscopy and efficient dual-wavelength laser performances of a Nd:GYSAG crystal.

We reported on the spectral properties and dual-wavelength laser performances of a novel, to the best of our knowledge, Nd:Gd1.8Y1.2ScAl4O12 (Nd:GYSAG) crystal for the first time. The absorption spectra, emission spectra, and fluorescence lifetime were systematically investigated. Further, a continuous-wavelength (CW) laser output power up to 5.02 W was obtained under an absorbed pump power of 9.45 W with slope and optical-to-optical efficiencies of 59.4% and 53.1%, respectively, at 1061.2 and 1063.2 nm. A stable passively Q-switched (PQS) laser employing Cr:YAG as a saturable absorber (SA) was realized. The maximum average output power of 0.756 W with a slope of near 34.4% was obtained with the pulse width, pulse energy, and peak power of 14.0 ns, 128.1 µJ, and 9.15 kW, respectively. The results indicate that the Nd:GYSAG crystal is an excellent laser medium for generating a high-efficiency dual-wavelength laser and has potential in terahertz (THz) laser generation.

Growth, spectroscopy and laser operation of Tm,Ho:GdScO3 perovskite crystal.

We report on the growth, polarized spectroscopy and first laser operation of an orthorhombic (space group Pnma) Tm3+,Ho3+-codoped gadolinium orthoscandate (GdScO3) perovskite-type crystal. A single crystal of 3.76 at.% Tm, 0.35 at.% Ho:GdScO3 was grown by the Czochralski method. Its polarized absorption and fluorescence properties were studied revealing a broadband emission around 2 µm. The parameters of the Tm3+ ↔ Ho3+ energy transfer was quantified, P28 = 1.30 × 10-22 cm3µs-1, and P71 = 0.99 × 10-23 cm3µs-1, and the thermal equilibrium lifetime was measured to be 3.5 ms. The crystal-field splitting of Tm3+ and Ho3+ multiplets in Cs symmetry sites of the perovskite structure was determined by low-temperature spectroscopy and the mechanism of spectral line broadening is discussed. The continuous-wave Tm,Ho:GdScO3 laser generated 1.16 W at ∼2.1 µm with a slope efficiency of 50.5%, a laser threshold of 184 mW, a linear laser polarization (E || c) and a spatially single-mode output. The Tm,Ho:GdScO3 crystal is promising for broadly tunable and femtosecond mode-locked lasers emitting above 2 µm.

SESAM mode-locked Yb:GdScO3 laser.

We report on the investigation of continuous-wave (CW) and SEmiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirror (SESAM) mode-locked operation of a Yb:GdScO3 laser. Using a single-transverse-mode, fiber-coupled InGaAs laser diode at 976 nm as a pump source, the Yb:GdScO3 laser delivers 343 mW output power at 1062 nm in the CW regime, which corresponds to a slope efficiency of 52%. Continuous tuning is possible across a wavelength range of 84 nm (1027-1111 nm). Using a commercial SESAM to initiate mode-locking and stabilize soliton-type pulse shaping, the Yb:GdScO3 laser produces pulses as short as 42 fs at 1065.9 nm, with an average output power of 40 mW at 66.89 MHz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of passively mode-locking with Yb:GdScO3 crystal.

Structures and Properties of High-Concentration Doped Th:CaF2 Single Crystals for Solid-State Nuclear Clock Materials.

Thorium-doped vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) transparent crystals is a promising candidate for establishing a solid-state nuclear clock. Here, we report the research results on high-concentration doping of 232Th:CaF2 single crystals. The structures, defects, and VUV transmittance performances of highly doped Th:CaF2 crystals are investigated by theoretical and experimental methods. The defect configurations formed by Th and the charge compensation mechanism (Ca vacancy or interstitial F atoms) located at its first nearest neighbor position are mainly considered and studied. The preferred defect configuration is identified according to the doping concentration dependence of structural changes caused by the defects and the formation energies of the defects at different Ca or F chemical potentials. The cultivated Th:CaF2 crystals maintain considerable high VUV transmittance levels while accommodating high doping concentrations, showcasing an exceptional comprehensive performance. The transmittances of 1-mm-thick samples with doping concentrations of 1.91 × 1020 and 2.76 × 1020 cm-3 can reach ∼62% and 53% at 150 nm, respectively. The VUV transmittance exhibits a weak negative doping concentration dependence. The system factors that may cause distortion and additional deterioration of the VUV transmittance are discussed. Balancing and controlling the impacts of various factors will be of great significance for fully exploiting the advantages of Th:CaF2 and other Th-doped crystals for a solid-state nuclear optical clock.

Emission cross section redetermination of Nd:LuAG crystals.

The emission cross section of Nd:LuAG was evaluated using two different methods: the Füchtbauer-Ladenburg equation and the threshold-slope measurements; similar results were obtained with both methods. All measurements and calculations were compared with those of Nd:YAG to reduce uncertainty. Detailed spectroscopic properties of Nd:LuAG were demonstrated. The results showed that the peak emission cross section of Nd:LuAG is approximately 20 × 10-20 cm2, approximately 2/3 the emission cross section of Nd:YAG, instead of the previously reported 9.67 × 10-20 cm2. Additionally, the corresponding saturation flux is 0.9 J/cm2. Therefore, the energy storage capacity of Nd:LuAG is not significantly improved, and it is not sufficient for large-scale amplifiers.

Yb:GdScO3 crystal for efficient ultrashort pulse lasers.

We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first demonstration of thermal, optical, and laser properties of Yb:GdScO3 for potentially efficient ultrashort pulse lasers. The stimulated emission cross section at 1025 nm (E//c) is 0.46×10-20cm2 with the emission band width of 85 nm, even broader than the well-known Yb:CaGdAlO4. It has quite a high thermal conductivity of 5.54W/(m⋅K) at 50°C, comparable with Yb:YAG. In the continuous-wave regime, the maximum output power of 13.45 W at 1063.9 nm was generated with the optical-to-optical efficiency of 63.3%. These results suggest that the Yb:GdScO3 crystal is a promising candidate for ultrashort pulse lasers.

Multi-layer nanoarrays sandwiched by anodized aluminium oxide membranes: an approach to an inexpensive, reproducible, highly sensitive SERS substrate.

A large-scale sub-5 nm nanofabrication technique is developed based on double layer anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) porous membrane masking. This technique also provides a facile route to form multilayer nano-arrays (metal nanoarrays sandwiched by AAO membranes), which is very challenging for other techniques. Normally the AAO mask has to be sacrificed, yet in this work it is preserved as a part of the nanostructure. The preserved AAO layers as the support for the second/third layer of the metal arrays provide a high-refractive index background for the multilayer metal arrays. This background concentrates the local E-field more significantly and results in a much higher Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) signal than single layer metal arrays. This technique may lead to the advent of an inexpensive, reproducible, highly sensitive SERS substrate. Moreover, the physical essence of the plasmonic enhancement is unveiled by finite element method based numerical simulations. Enhancements from the gaps and the multilayer nanostructure agree very well with the experiments. The calculated layer-by-layer electric field distribution determines the contribution from different layers and provides more insights into the 3D textured structure.

Structural Engineering for High Sensitivity, Ultrathin Pressure Sensors Based on Wrinkled Graphene and Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membrane.

Nature-motivated pressure sensors have been greatly important components integrated into flexible electronics and applied in artificial intelligence. Here, we report a high sensitivity, ultrathin, and transparent pressure sensor based on wrinkled graphene prepared by a facile liquid-phase shrink method. Two pieces of wrinkled graphene are face to face assembled into a pressure sensor, in which a porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane with the thickness of only 200 nm was used to insulate the two layers of graphene. The pressure sensor exhibits ultrahigh operating sensitivity (6.92 kPa-1), resulting from the insulation in its inactive state and conduction under compression. Formation of current pathways is attributed to the contact of graphene wrinkles through the pores of AAO membrane. In addition, the pressure sensor is also an on/off and energy saving device, due to the complete isolation between the two graphene layers when the sensor is not subjected to any pressure. We believe that our high-performance pressure sensor is an ideal candidate for integration in flexible electronics, but also paves the way for other 2D materials to be involved in the fabrication of pressure sensors.

In Situ Characterization of the Local Work Function along Individual Free Standing Nanowire by Electrostatic Deflection.

In situ characterization of the work function of quasi one dimensional nanomaterials is essential for exploring their applications. Here we proposed to use the electrostatic deflection induced by work function difference between nanoprobe and nanowire for in situ measuring the local work function along a free standing nanowire. The physical mechanism for the measurement was discussed in details and a parabolic relationship between the deflection and the potential difference was derived. As a demonstration, measurement of the local work functions on the tip and the sidewall of a ZnO nanowire with Au catalyst at its end and a LaB6 nanowire have been achieved with good accuracy.

Efficient dual-wavelength Nd:LuLiF4 laser.

We report an efficient continuous-wave (CW) and passively Q-switched dual-wavelength Nd:LuLiF4 laser at 1314 and 1321 nm for the first time. Maximum CW output power of 6.08 W is obtained, giving an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 30.2% and a slope efficiency of 32.1%. Even using high doping V3+:YAG as the saturable absorber to passively Q-switch the laser, stable dual-wavelength operation remains. Maximum pulse energy extracted from the resonator is 108.7 µJ at 17.2 kHz pulse-repetition rate, and maximum peak power is 885 W.

Efficient Ho:LuLiF4 laser diode-pumped at 1.15 µm.

We report the first laser operation based on Ho(3+)-doped LuLiF(4) single crystal, which is directly pumped with 1.15-µm laser diode (LD). Based on the numerical model, it is found that the "two-for-one" effect induced by the cross-relaxation plays an important role for the laser efficiency. The maximum continuous wave (CW) output power of 1.4 W is produced with a beam propagation factor of M(2) ~2 at the lasing wavelength of 2.066 µm. The slope efficiency of 29% with respect to absorbed power is obtained.

Room-temperature diode-pumped Yb, Na: PbF2 laser.

Growth, spectroscopic properties, and laser performance of Yb, Na:PbF(2) crystals have been investigated. With a 2 mol.% Yb(3+)-doped sample we obtained 2.65 W output power at 1045 nm for 7.5 W of incident power at 976 nm. The laser wavelength could be tuned from 1017 to 1078 nm, showing the great potential of Yb, Na:PbF(2) as an amplifier medium for femtosecond pulses.

Optical characterization and evaluation of the laser properties of Yb(3+)-doped (La, Sr)(Al, Ta)O(3) single crystals.

A Yb(3+)-doped mixed-perovskite single crystal (La, Sr)(Al, Ta)O(3) (LSAT) crystal is grown by the Czochralski method. The absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence lifetime of Yb(3+) ions have been investigated, and the spectroscopic parameters of Yb:LSAT have also been calculated. This crystal exhibits a remarkably large ground-state splitting (about 1100 cm(-1)), a relatively long fluorescence lifetime (0.85 ms) and broad absorption and emission bandwidths. The results indicate that the Yb(3+):LSAT crystal is a good candidate for diode-pumped ultrashort and tunable solid-state laser applications.

Yb,Na:PbF(2): a potential new high-power laser material.

Yb:PbF(2) and Yb,Na:PbF(2) laser crystals are grown by the Bridgman method. Room-temperature absorption, photoluminescence spectra, and fluorescence lifetimes of Yb(3+) ions in the crystals have been investigated. Experimental results show that Na(+) ions codoping with Yb(3+) as charge compensators can suppress the deoxidization of Yb(3+) to Yb(2+). The result of diode-pumped laser operation of a Yb,Na:PbF(2) single crystal is reported for the first time to the best of our knowledge . With a 1mol.%Yb(3+)-doped sample, we obtained 2.37W output power at 1056nm for 17.9W of incident power at 978nm.