A Nd-doped silica glass with high doping concentration, low hydroxyl content, and 900 nm fluorescence emission fabricated by laser additive manufacturing

Abstract

The 900 nm wavelength laser is effective for atmospheric detection and various other applications.The frequency-doubled 450 nm deep blue laser can be used in maritime military, quantum optics, biomedicine, laser storage, laser display, and deep ultraviolet laser fields, among others. Although Nd³⁺ is considered the optimal medium for generating 900 nm lasers, competition with the 1060 nm emission wavelength must be addressed. In Nd-doped silica glass, without the introduction of aluminum, the emission intensity of the three-level transition is higher than that of the four-level transition. However, it can cause a concentration quenching between Nd³⁺, but co-doping with Al can effectively suppress it. As the Al/Nd ratio increases, the emission intensity at 1060 nm increases relative to that at 900 nm. By precisely adjusting the Al/Nd ratio, it is possible to suppress the 1060 nm emission while also inhibiting concentration quenching caused by Nd³⁺.