Thermal and optical properties of Nd3+:SrWO4:: a potential candidate for eye-safe 1.517 μm Raman lasers

Nd3+ doped SrWO4 single crystal with a dimension of phi 30 mm x 80 mm and a good optical quality was grown by Czochralski method. The refractive indices in a function of wavelength and the principal coefficient of thermal expansion were precisely measured. The three principal coefficients of thermal expansion along ( 001), ( 010), ( 100) are 2.39 x 10(-5) degrees C-1, 1.09 x 10(-5) degrees C-1, and 0.97 x 10(-5) degrees C-1, respectively. In the framework of the Judd - Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters, radiative probabilities, radiative branching ratios and radiative lifetime were calculated. We also present end-pumped self-stimulated Raman scattering in the two laser channels F-4(3/2) --> I-4(11/2) and F-4(3/2) --> I-4(13/2) to generate 1.18 and 1.52 mu m Self-stimulated Raman scattering radiations, the latter being close to the eye-safe domain. This material is a potential material for eye-safe Raman lasers.