Spectroscopic investigation of a new crystal: Nd 3+ ,Yb 3+ :YVO 4

The absorption and emission spectra of the YVO4 single crystal co-doped with 1 at.% Nd3+ and 1 at.% Yb3+ are investigated. The efficient Nd3+ → Yb3+ energy transfer and the back transfer (Yb3+ → Nd3+) are observed at room temperature. The fluorescence lifetime of the 4F3/2 level of Nd3+ in Nd, Yb:YVO4 is measured under 808 nm laser light excitation. The efficiency of Nd3+ → Yb3+ energy transfer in YVO4 is determined to be about 34%.