Multi-wavelength Laser Operation in Nd:GdScO3 Crystal

We report on the multi-wavelength lasers of Nd:GdScO3 crystal at 1 and 1.3 μm region for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Nd:GdScO3 crystal is a novel laser crystal with inhomogeneous broadening spectra, which has great advantages in providing new laser transitions. The Nd:GdScO3 crystal used in our work was grown by the Czochralski technique in our lab, with Nd3+ ions concentration of approximately 0.66 at.%. The laser experiments were conducted using b-cut Nd:GdScO3 crystals with dimensions of 5 mm in thickness, a cross-section of 3×3 mm², and two highly polished surfaces without anti-reflective coatings. Multi-wavelength lasers were demonstrated by a single intracavity quartz birefringent plate (QBP). The QBP featured a thickness of 2 mm, an optical axis aligned along its surface, and no additional coatings applied. The experimental setup incorporated a simple V-fold resonator cavity designed to mitigate thermal effects, within the QBP at Brewster's angle in the cavity. Simulations on tunable lasers mechanism were performed as well, to evaluate the performance of QBP plate in this system. At 1μm region, an efficient continuous wave (CW) laser at 1085 nm attained an output power up to 5.3 W with slope efficiency of 61.0% in free running mode. Additionally, maximum output power of 3.5 and 2.3 W was achieved at 1071.4 and 1092.6 nm, with slope efficiencies of approximately 45.0% and 30.0%, respectively. At 1.3 μm region, an efficient dual-wavelength CW laser at 1353.6 and 1375.3 nm reached an output power up to 1.25 W with slope efficiency of 39.0% in free running mode. Furthermore, lasers with a tunable range of 4.0 nm at approximately 1375.3 nm were also obtained. Our results indicated that Nd:GdScO3 is capable of producing efficient multiple lasers at 1071.4, 1085.4, 1092.6, 1353.6 and 1375.3 nm, expanding laser wavelength of Nd3+ ion.