Synthesis and optical properties of KZnLa0.99Nd0.01(VO4)2 triple vanadate(V)—New promising laser materials

In an attempt to find a neodymium–vanadate system with long lifetime of 4F3/2 level and relatively strong 4F3/2→4I11/2 emission for laser applications, the optical properties of Nd3+ in a new KZnLa(VO4)2 host is reported. The crystalline samples were obtained at 900 °C in air. The samples were crystallized in monoclinic system and were isostructural with KZnLa(PO4)2. KZnLa0.99Nd0.01(VO4)2 strongly emits in the near infrared range with the maxima at 871.6 and 1057 nm upon excitation through the 4F5/2 level (808 nm) or by the charge transfer bands of VO43−. The lifetime of 4F3/2 level of Nd3+ ion is larger than that observed in other neodymium–vanadates systems.