The thermal diffusion of Nd^3+ and Gd^3+ ions in YVO_4 is characterized, yielding diffusion rates of 7X10^-19 and 44X10^-19 m^2s^-1, respectively, at 1400°C and activation energies of 5.3X10^-19 and 2.9X10^-19 J, respectively, for diffusion along the c axis. The fluorescence properties of the Nd^3+ -diffused YVO_4 agree well with those of bulk doped materials. The formation of a planar optical waveguide was also observed for one of the Nd^3+ -diffused samples. This characterization is a significant first step toward fabrication of waveguide lasers and amplifiers in this important laser material.
Hettrick, Simon J., Wilkinson, James S. and Shepherd, David P. (2002) Neodymium and gadolinium diffusion in yttrium vanadate. Journal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics (JOSA B), 19, (1), 33-36.
