Orthorhombic (LiNbGeO5): efficient stimulated Raman scattering and tunable near-infrared laser emission from chromium doping

Abstract The structural, optical, spectroscopic, and laser properties of pure and chromium-doped lithium–niobium germanate (LiNbGeO 5 ) single crystals are discussed in this paper. Efficient stimulated Raman scattering (SRS), investigated with the one-micron fundamental and second harmonic wave of a picosecond Nd 3+ :Y 3 Al 5 O 12 laser, reveals the potential of this new cubic non-linear susceptible ( χ (3) ) optical material for realizing effective solid state Raman shifters. The data are analyzed and compared with spectroscopic data from spontaneous Raman scattering. Pulsed tunable laser action of chromium-doped LiNbGeO 5 crystals was demonstrated in the spectral range between 1.3 and 1.52 μ m at cryogenic temperature and around 1.4 μ m at room temperature. Due to its excellent crystalline and optical properties, LiNbGeO 5 is a promising material for tunable near-infrared lasers with integrated frequency converters.