Abstract

The thermal diffusion of ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$ and ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ ions in ${\mathrm{YVO}}_4$ is characterized, yielding diffusion rates of $7\times {10}^{-19}$ and $44\times {10}^{-19} {\mathrm{m}}^2 {\mathrm{s}}^{-1},$ respectively, at 1400 °C and activation energies of $5.3\times {10}^{-19}$ and $2.9\times {10}^{-19} \mathrm{J},$ respectively, for diffusion along the c axis. The fluorescence properties of the ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$-diffused ${\mathrm{YVO}}_4$ agree well with those of bulk doped materials. The formation of a planar optical waveguide was also observed for one of the ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$-diffused samples. This characterization is a significant first step toward fabrication of waveguide lasers and amplifiers in this important laser material.

© 2002 Optical Society of America