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Highlights: [•] Spectroscopic properties and crystal growth of Tm:LYSO single crystal were studied for the first time. [•] The large absorption and emission cross-section and broad FWHM make Tm:LYSO a promising media for tunable and ultrashort pulses. [•] The J–O parameters and gain spectra reveal that the excellent properties for laser applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of high quality x%Pr3+:BaF2 (x = 0.6, 1, 2); (1%Pr3+, 2%Na+):BaF2; (1%Pr3+, y%Ca2+):BaF2 (y = 3, 5) and (0.6%Pr3+, 10%R3+):BaF2 (R = Y, Lu, Gd) crystals were grown by temperature gradient technique (TGT). The Raman spectra, absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay lifetime were measured. XRD patterns indicate that the as-synthesized samples are pure BaF2 phase. The absorption cross-section of Pr3+ ions in the BaF2 matrix can be greatly improved by co-doping R3+ ions, while improvement by Na+ and Ca2+ ions is marginal. The fluorescence characteristic of Pr3+ ions can be effectively regulated by co-doping Na+, Ca2+, R3+ (R = Y, Lu, Gd) ions of different valence states. When R3+ ions are introduced, the fluorescence spectra show the strongest orange emission and the CIE chromaticity coordinates of Pr3+ ions are also in the orange region. When single-doped Pr3+ ions and Na+ or Ca2+ ions are introduced, the fluorescence lifetime of the 3P0 level is double exponential decay, and the short lifetime is the main proportion. However, the fluorescence centers tend to homogeneous and stable by R3+ ions co-doping and the fluorescence lifetime exhibits single-exponential decay, which is fitted to 49.7 μs, 47.8 μs and 49.6 μs of (0.6%Pr3+, 10%R3+):BaF2 (R = Y, Lu, Gd), respectively. All the results show that (Pr3+, Gd3+):BaF2 and (Pr3+, Na+):BaF2 are excellent laser gain media for high-efficiency orange and red laser operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tm3+-doped CaY 0.9 Lu 0.1 AlO 4 single crystal was successfully grown by the Czochralski method. The crystal structure, polarized absorption spectra and polarized emission spectra of Tm:CaY 0.9 Lu 0.1 AlO 4 crystals were investigated. By using the Judd–Ofelt approach, the intensity parameters Ω 2,4,6 , spontaneous transition rate, branching ratios and radiative lifetimes were calculated. Diode-end-pumped continuous-wave Tm:CaY 0.9 Lu 0.1 AlO 4 lasers have also been investigated by establishing a simple and compact plane-concave cavity with four differently coated output couplers. Four different lasing wavelengths at about 2029 nm, 2000 nm, 1966 nm and 1888 nm have been achieved with maximum output power and slope efficiency of (1.98 W, 15.1%), (5.89 W, 46.2%), (6.92 W, 54.9%) and (5.54 W, 44.7%), respectively. The results in regard to the broad emission spectra and good laser performance show that the Tm:CaY 0.9 Lu 0.1 AlO 4 mixed crystal could be very promising for broadband tunable and/or femtosecond ultrafast laser generation in the important 2-μm spectral region. • Tm:CaY 0.9 Lu 0.1 AlO 4 crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. • The crystal structure, polarized spectra were investigated. • The maximum output power of 6.92 W with slope efficiency 54.9% was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tm3+-doped calcium niobium gallium garnet (Tm:CNGG) single crystals have been successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. The crystal structure, absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and lifetimes of Tm:CNGG crystals were investigated. The absorption and emission bandwidths of Tm:CNGG crystals are larger than those of other Tm3+ doped garnet crystals, which will be beneficial for laser diode (LD) pumping and ultrashort pulse generation. Additionally, continuous wave (CW) laser operation around 2 μm was achieved in the 2.0 at.% Tm:CNGG crystal by LD pumping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ho3+-doped CaY 0.9 Gd 0.1 AlO 4 single crystal was successfully grown by the Czochralski technique for the first time. The polarized absorption spectra, polarized luminescence spectra and fluorescence decay curve of the crystal were investigated at room temperature. The spectroscopic parameters are calculated based on Judd–Ofelt theory, the values of Ω 2,4,6 were calculated to be 3.16 × 10−20 cm2, 3.93 × 10−20 cm2, 0.91 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. The Ho:CaY 0.9 Gd 0.1 AlO 4 crystal exhibits strong emission at 2013 nm for π- and 2032 nm for σ-polarizations with stimulated emission cross section of 6.64 × 10−20 cm2 and 1.90 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime of the 5I 7 level was measured to be 6.60 ms. The continuous-wave (CW) laser operation of Ho:CaY 0.9 Gd 0.1 AlO 4 crystal around 2 μm was demonstrated. • Ho3+-doped CaY 0.9 Gd 0.1 AlO 4 single crystal was successfully grown by the Czochralski technique for the first time. • The emission cross-section at 2013 nm and 2032 nm are 6.64 × 10−20 cm2 and 1.90 × 10−20 cm2 for π- and σ-polarizations respectively. • The continuous-wave (CW) laser operation of Ho:CaY 0.9 Gd 0.1 AlO 4 crystal around 2 μm was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yb,Tb:YAG crystals with various Yb3+ and Tb3+ concentration were grown by the micro-pulling-down method (μ -PD). The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves of Yb,Tb:YAG crystals were measured at room temperature. Under 980 nm excitation, Yb,Tb:YAG crystals exhibited intense visible up-conversion luminescence due to the cooperative energy transfer from two Yb3+ ions to one Tb3+ ion. Under 485 nm excitation, Yb,Tb:YAG crystals yielded near-infrared down-conversion emission, ascribing to the cooperative absorption of pumping photons and cooperative energy transfer from one Tb3+ ion to two Yb3+ ions. The energy transfer processes from Yb3+ ions to Tb3+ ions were discussed, and the energy transfer efficiency was calculated. Based on studies of the obtained results, Yb3+/Tb3+ co-doped YAG crystal shows promising potential for sensing, volumetric displays, optical data storage, light emitting diodes. • Yb,Tb:YAG single crystals grown by the micro-pulling-down technique. • The cooperative energy transfer process was analyzed. • The effect of doped concentration on energy transfer efficiency was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tm3+ doped and Tm3+, Pr3+ co-doped Lu 3 Al 5 O 12 (LuAG) garnet single crystals have been successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and lifetimes were investigated at room temperature. In the absorption spectra, the transition centered at 782 nm matches well with the GaAlAs LDs laser pumping. The incorporation of Pr3+ into Tm3+-doped LuAG crystals enhanced the intensity of 1.5 μm emission and decreased the fluorescence lifetime of the lower energy level for 1.5 μm emission from 10.427 ms to 2.603 ms. The results indicate that Tm,Pr:LuAG crystal can be promising candidate for near infrared 1.5 μm laser materials. • Tm:LuAG and Tm,Pr:LuAG crystals have been successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. • Spectral parameters of Tm:LuAG and Tm,Pr:LuAG crystals were obtained and compared. • The fluorescence mechanism of Tm,Pr:LuAG crystal has been studied for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photograph of Yb,Ho:YAG crystals grown by the μ-PD method. (a) Yb = 0.05, (b) 0.1, (c) 0.15. • Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG) single crystals doped with a fixed Ho3+ content of 0.5 at.% and various Yb3+ contents (Yb = 5, 10 and 15 at.%) have been successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG) single crystals doped with a fixed Ho3+ content of 0.5 at.% and various Yb3+ contents (Yb = 5, 10 and 15 at.%) have been successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves were recorded at room temperature. The intense emission of Yb,Ho:YAG crystal centered at 2 μm corresponds to the 5I 7 → 5I 8 transition. Three intense emissions centered at 524–569 nm, 623–691 nm and 744–746 nm, correspond to the 5F 4 + 5S 2 → 5I 8 , 5F 5 → 5I 8 and 5F 4 + 5S 2 → 5I 7 transitions, respectively. The possible energy transfer mechanisms were discussed intensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High quality of Tb3+-single doped and Tb3+/Pr3+ co-doped CaF 2 crystals were grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT). Pr3+ ions were used as sensitizing ions of Tb3+. Optical properties including absorption spectrum, emission spectrum, and fluorescence decay curve were recorded. Through co-doping sensitizing ions of Pr3+, the absorption cross section around 480 nm increased from 0.007 × 10−20 cm2 to 0.3 × 10−20 cm2, the large value is beneficial for the absorption of LD pump source. Judd-Ofelt theory was used to analyze the spectroscopic parameters. Fluorescence branch ratio, transition probability, radiative and fluorescence lifetimes, and quantum efficiency were determined as well. The emission cross section of Tb,Pr:CaF 2 for the green emission at 544 nm and yellow emission at 587 nm corresponding to the transition of 5D 4 →7F 5 and 5D 4 →7F 4 were calculated to be 5.56 × 10−22 cm2 and 8.78 × 10−23 cm2, respectively, which is comparable to the Tb3+ doped CaF 2 crystal. • Tb:CaF 2 crystal and Tb/Pr co-doped CaF 2 crystal were grown by TGT method. • Pr3+ ions were used to improve the absorption cross section of Tb3+ ions. • Judd-Ofelt theory was used to analyze the spectroscopic parameters. • Tb,Pr:CaF 2 crystal is a potential laser material for green and yellow oscillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dy3+-doped Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG) and Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 (YSAG) single crystals have been successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) technique for the first time. The room temperature absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves were measured. Dy:YAG and Dy:Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 crystals exhibit strongest emission centered at 583 nm, corresponding to the 4F 9/2 → 6H 13/2 transition. The decay lifetime of the 4F 9/2 level was measured to be 634 μs and 667 μs, respectively. All these results indicate that the Dy:YAG and Dy:Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 crystals are promising candidates for yellow laser operation. • Dy:YAG and Dy:YSAG crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down method. • Dy:YAG and Dy:YSAG crystals exhibit strong emission centered at 583 nm. • Dy:YSAG crystal has a wide emission bandwidth due to the disordered crystalline structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]