Spectroscopic investigation of a new crystal: Nd³⁺,Yb³⁺:YVO₄

The absorption and emission spectra of the YVO_4 single crystal co-doped with 1 at.% Nd^3+ and 1 at.% Yb^3+ are investigated. The efficient Nd^3+ \rightarrow Yb^3+ energy transfer and the back transfer (Yb^3+\rightarrow Nd^3+) are observed at room temperature. The fluorescence lifetime of the ^4F_3/2 level of Nd^3+ in Nd,Yb:YVO_4 is measured under 808 nm laser light excitation. The efficiency of Nd^3+\rightarrow Yb^3+ energy transfer in YVO_4 is determined to be about 34%.