Experimental determination of the luminescent quantum eciency of the laser emitting level of Nd 3+ ions in lithium niobate

The luminescent quantum eciency of the laser emitting level ( 4 F3=2 )o f Nd 3+ ions in lithium niobate (LiNbO3) is obtained experimentally by using a method based on the simultaneous and multiwavelength measurement of photoacoustic and luminescent signals after modulated continuous laser excitation. The experimental results give a high luminescence quantum eciency, = 0:98 ( = 0:08), which is in agreement with the highest of the values reported in the literature from Judd-Ofelt calculations.