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Nd-doped PbClF crystals were grown with modified Bridgman method. Broad and flat emission band at 1.0 μm was observed. The FWHM value of 0.0091 wt.% Nd3+-doped PbClF crystal at 1064 nm reached up to 30 nm with the peak emission cross-section of 1.05×10-19 cm2. All the results indicated that Nd-doped PbClF crystal should be a promising tunable and ultrafast laser material. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we describe a thulium-doped (Lu,Y) 3 Al 5 O 12 mixed crystal that was designed and grown to achieve a large pulse energy in Q-switched laser operation. Its absorption cross-sections at 781.3 nm and 1629.2 nm were calculated to be 3.4 × 10 −21 cm 2 and 5 × 10 −21 cm 2 , respectively, and the emission cross-section at 2018.3 nm was calculated to be 1.92 × 10 −21 cm 2 . The highest single pulse energy of 1.4 mJ near 2.02 μm was realized in an actively Q-switched solid-state laser, and further power scaling was just limited by the damage of the crystal coating. Based on the calculated spectrum parameters, theoretical simulation of the single pulse energy that considering the cross-relaxation process was proposed, which was well consistent with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ho,Pr:CaYAlO 4 (Ho,Pr:CYA) crystal doped with 1 at.% Ho3+ and 0.1 at.% Pr3+ was successfully grown using the Czochralski method. Polarized absorption spectra, emission spectra, and fluorescence lifetime measurements were performed. The impact of Pr3+ co-doping on the ∼3 μm emission of Ho3+ ions was analyzed. The energy transfer efficiency from Ho3+:5I 7 to Pr3+:3F 2 energy level was calculated to be 60.66 %, indicating that Pr3+ effectively mitigated the self-termination effect in Ho,Pr:CYA crystals. The absorption cross-section at 645 nm was found to be 1.53 × 10−20 cm2 for σ polarization and 2.62 × 10−20 cm2 for π polarization. The emission cross-section at 2842 nm was calculated to be 0.86 × 10−20 cm2 for σ polarization and 1.33 × 10−20 cm2 for π polarization at 2908 nm, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 139 nm and 88 nm, respectively. The fluorescence lifetimes of the 5I 6 and 5I 7 levels were measured to be 0.17 ms and 2.01 ms, respectively. These results collectively suggest that Ho,Pr:CYA crystals hold great potential as a candidate for 2.8 μm laser applications. • Ho3+,Pr3+ co-doped CaYAlO 4 crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. • The crystal structure, polarized absorption and emission spectra were investigated. • The intensity parameters were obtained using J-O theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sm3+ doped yttria transparent ceramics (Sm x Y 1-x) 2 O 3 (x = 0.01, 0.015, 0.03) were fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering method. Absorption spectra, as well as emission spectra and luminescence lifetime were carried out at room temperature. Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory was used to calculate the Ω t (t = 2, 4, 6) intensity parameters. The spontaneous transition probabilities, radiative lifetime, branching ratio, and stimulated emission cross-sections have been calculated for 4G 5/2 excited level. The emission cross section for the 4G 5/2 → 6H 7/2 transition at about 607 nm was calculated to be 6.73 × 10−22 cm2. The results indicate that Sm:Y 2 O 3 ceramic may be a potential reddish orange-light laser material around 607 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ho3+ and Eu3+ co-doping GdScO 3 crystal was successfully grown by special EFG method. The spectroscopic properties of the crystal were measured and analyzed. The absorption cross section was calculated to be 2.027 × 10−20 cm2 at 1161 nm. The J-O theory intensity parameters Ω t (t = 2, 4, 6), radiative transition rates, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes were calculated. The Ho,Eu:GdScO 3 crystal has very strong emission at 2869 nm and the emission cross section was 13.524 × 10−21 cm2. The fluorescence lifetimes of the 5I 7 and 5I 6 levels were measured to be 4.457 ms and 1.265 ms. Confirmed that Eu3+ can be used as an effective deactivation ion of Ho3+ in GdScO 3 crystal. All those results show that the Ho,Eu:GdScO 3 crystal would be a potential laser material for ∼3 μm mid-infrared region. • Ho,Eu:GdScO 3 crystal was successfully grown. • The spectroscopic properties of the Ho,Eu:GdScO 3 crystal were analyzed. • J-O theory was applied to analyze fluorescence properties of the Ho,Eu:GdScO 3 crystal. • The energy transfer between Ho3+ and Eu3+ ions, spectroscopic characteristic of ∼3 μm emission were calculated and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 0.5 at.% Tm:Ca 1-x Y x F 2+x (x = 0, 0.01, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.12) crystals have been successfully grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT) method. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curves were measured and analyzed at room temperature. By comparison, it is found that when the concentration of Y3+ ions reaches 8 at.%, the absorption cross section corresponding to the 3H 6 →3H 4 energy level is 2.56 × 10−21 cm2 at 793 nm, which is suitable for GaAlAs LD pumping. The J-O strength parameters Ω 2 , Ω 4 , and Ω 6 were obtained. With the incorporation of Y3+ ions, the value of Ω 4 /Ω 6 gradually increases. When the concentration of Y3+ ions reaches 8 at.%, the emission cross sections are 3.05 × 10−21 cm2 at 1476 nm, 2.56 × 10−21 cm2 at 2378 nm, and the full widths at half maximum (FWHM) are 76 nm and 195 nm, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime of 3H 4 level, the upper level of 1.5 μm and 2.3 μm, is 1.05 ms, which is very beneficial for 1.5 μm and 2.3 μm laser. • With the incorporation of Y3+ ions, the value of Ω 4 /Ω 6 gradually increases. • When the concentration of Y3+ ions reaches 8 at.%, the emission cross section is 3.05 × 10−21 cm2 at 1476 nm, 2.56 × 10−21 cm2 at 2378 nm, respectively. • The fluorescence lifetime of 3H 4 level, the upper level of 1.5 μm and 2.3 μm, is 1.05 ms, which is very beneficial for 1.5 μm and 2.3 μm laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ho:Lu 2 O 3 crystal was successfully grown by TGT method. The spectroscopic properties of the crystal were analyzed. The absorption cross section of Ho:Lu 2 O 3 were 0.307 × 10−20 cm2 at 1147 nm and 1.076 × 10−20 cm2 at 1929 nm. J-O theory was applied to analyze fluorescence properties of the Ho:Lu 2 O 3 crystal. The intensity parameters Ω t (t = 2,4,6), radiative transition rates, branching ratios and radiative lifetime were calculated. The Ho:Lu 2 O 3 crystal had very strong emission at 2027 nm and 2849 nm and emission cross sections were calculated to be 3.271 × 10−21 cm2 and 8.852 × 10−21 cm2, respectively. The fluorescence lifetimes of the Ho3+5I 7 and 5I 6 levels were measured to be 12.400 ms and 0.622 ms. All those results show that the Ho: Lu 2 O 3 crystal would be a potential laser material for mid-infrared region. • Ho: Lu 2 O 3 crystal was successfully grown by TGT method. • The spectroscopic properties of the Ho: Lu 2 O 3 crystal were analyzed. • J-O theory was applied to analyze fluorescence properties of the Ho:Lu 2 O 3 crystal. • The gain cross-section of Ho:Lu 2 O 3 crystal for ∼2 μm region and ∼3 μm region were calculated. [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]

High quality 7 at%Er:Y 2 O 3 crystal was successfully grown by Fz method. Judd-Ofelt theory was applied to analyze spectroscopic properties at 2.7 μm. The larger value of Ω 2 shows low local environment symmetry exists in Er:Y 2 O 3 crystal, and the large Ω 4 /Ω 6 indicates better spectral quality. The larger absorption cross-section and FWHM are beneficial to efficient absorption of pump source. The fluorescence spectra and lifetimes of Er:Y 2 O 3 crystal were measured and studied at 2.7 μm. The emission cross-sections at 2723 nm was calculated to be 1.41 × 10−20cm2. Compared with other Er3+ doped crystals, the large spectral quality factors Q and low fluorescence lifetime ratio illustrate that Er:Y 2 O 3 crystal has excellent laser properties at 2.7 μm. In addition, the low inversion ratio also indicates great potential of Er:Y 2 O 3 crystal for laser generation at 2.7 μm. • A high quality 7%Er:Y 2 O 3 laser crystal was successfully grown by Fz method. • Judd-ofelt (J-O) parameterization scheme was applied to analyze the spectroscopic properties of 7%Er:Y 2 O 3 laser crystal at 2.7 μm. • The large spectral quality factors Q with low fluorescence lifetime ratio illustrates that Er:Y 2 O 3 crystal has excellent laser properties at 2.7 µm. • The low inversion ratio indicates great potential of Er:Y 2 O 3 crystal for laser generation at 2.7 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high optical quality Er:Lu 2 O 3 and Er,Pr:Lu 2 O 3 crystals were grown by Floating zone method. The spectral properties of Er:Lu 2 O 3 and Er,Pr:Lu 2 O 3 crystals were investigated. After co-doping small concentration of Pr3+, the depopulated influence of Pr3+ to the NIR emission was much stronger than the MIR emission. The near-infrared and up-conversion fluorescence were significantly quenched. Moreover, the fluorescence lifetime of 4I 13/2 abviously decreases from 4.02 ms to 1.71 ms in 7% Er, 0.05% Pr: Lu 2 O 3 crystal, and the lifetime ratio is 1.63 with large fluorescence lifetime of 4I 11/2 which is desirable lifetime ratio in these crystals. Thus, the spectral performance was significantly improved by co-doping 0.05 at.% of Pr3+. The high laser performance at 2.7 μm of 7% Er, 0.05% Pr: Lu 2 O 3 crystal is expectable. • The high optical quality Er:Lu 2 O 3 and Er,Pr:Lu 2 O 3 crystals were firstly grown by Floating zone method. • The spectral properties of Er:Lu 2 O 3 and Er,Pr:Lu 2 O 3 crystals were firstly investigated. • After co-doping low concentration of Pr3+, the near-infrared, ESA and up-conversion fluorescence were significantly quenched. • The spectral performance of Er:Lu 2 O 3 crystal was significantly improved at 2.7 μm by co-doping 0.05 at.% of Pr3+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High optical quality Er3+ doped Lu 2 O 3 single crystal with optimum doping concentration was grown by Floating zone (Fz) method. The spectral properties and Judd-Ofelt (JO) analysis were reported. The emission cross-section at 2772 nm was calculated to be 2.47 × 10−20 cm2 with FWHM of 188 nm. The fluorescence lifetime of 4I 11/2 and 4I 13/2 energy level was fitted to be 1.62 ms and 4.02 ms. Optimum lifetime ratio (τ low /τ up) is beneficial to laser operation. Compared with reported Er3+ doped crystal, the larger spectral quality factors Q and low inversion ratio P of 7 at.% Er:Lu 2 O 3 crystal indicate that it has a favorable laser performance for 2.8 μm laser operation. • In our work high optical quality 7 at.% Er3+ doped Lu 2 O 3 single crystal with optimum doping concentration was grown by Floating zone method. • The spectroscopic properties were reported by Judd-Ofelt theory. • In order to weaken the influence of reabsorption phenomenon, we grind sample of Er:Lu 2 O 3 crystal into powder to measure fluorescence lifetime of 4I 13/2. • The measured fluorescence lifetime of 4I 13/2 is close to actual value. • We compare the optical characteristics of 7at.% Er:Lu 2 O 3 crystal with other materials in Mid-infrared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]