Spectroscopic properties of Ho3+ doped Sc2O3 transparent ceramic for laser materials.

Systematic high resolution spectral investigations of trivalent holmium doped in Sc₂O₃ polycrystalline transparent ceramic were performed. The spectral characteristics (Stark energy levels, absorption, and emission cross sections) as well as the Judd–Ofelt (JO) intensity parameters Ω_t(t=2,4,6) for the f-f transitions of the C₂-symmetry center of Ho³⁺ in Sc₂O₃ transparent ceramics were determined. The JO intensity parameters are used to estimate the emission probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios of the different Ho³⁺ transitions. The emission gain cross section for the ⁵I₇→⁵I₈ and ⁵I₆→⁵I₈ transitions of special interest for laser application were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]