Anisotropy of nonlinear absorption in Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>:MgAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal

Anisotropy of the nonlinear absorption of Co²⁺ ions in MgAl₂O₄ single crystal at the wavelengths of 1.35 and 1.54 μm has been experimentally demonstrated. The experimental data are analyzed in the framework of a phenomenological model when the Co²⁺ ions are described as three sets of linear dipoles oriented along the crystallographic axes. Ground-state and excited state absorption cross-sections at 1.35 and 1.54 μm are evaluated to be σ_gsa=(4.0±0.3)×10^-19, σ_esa=(3.6±0.4)×10^-20 cm² and σ_gsa=(5.1±0.3)×10^-19, σ_esa=(4.6±0.4)×10^-20 cm², respectively. PACS 42.55.Rz; 71.20.Be     

Modelling of a simple Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript> doped chalcogenide glass fibre laser for mid-infrared light generation

A simple Dy³⁺-doped chalcogenide glass fibre laser design for mid-infrared light generation is studied using a one dimensional rate equation model. The fibre laser design employs the concept of cascade lasing. The results obtained demonstrate that efficient cascade lasing may be achieved in practice without the need for fibre grating fabrication, as a sufficient level of feedback for laser action is provided by Fresnel light reflection at chalcogenide glass fibre–air interfaces. Further enhancement of the laser efficiency can be achieved by terminating one of the fibre ends with a mirror. A numerical analysis of the effect of the Dy³⁺ doping concentration and fibre loss on the laser operation shows that with 5 W of pump power, at 1.71 μm wavelength, output powers above 100 mW at ∼ 4.5 μm wavelength can be achieved with Dy³⁺ ion concentrations as low as 3 × 10¹⁹ cm⁻³, when fibre loss is of the order 1dB/m.     

Spectroscopic properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:CaNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> crystal

The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence decay curve of Nd³⁺ ions in CaNb₂O₆ crystal were measured at room temperature. The peak absorption cross section was calculated to be 6.202×10⁻²⁰ cm² with a broad FWHM of 7 nm at 808 nm for E//a light polarization. The spectroscopic parameters of Nd³⁺ ions in CaNb₂O₆ crystal have been investigated based on Judd-Ofelt theory. The parameters of the line strengths Ω _t are Ω ₂=5.321×10⁻²⁰ cm²,Ω ₄=1.734×10⁻²⁰ cm²,Ω ₆=2.889×10⁻²⁰ cm². The radiative lifetime, the fluorescence lifetime and the quantum efficiency are 167 μs, 152 μs and 91%, respectively. The fluorescence branch ratios are calculated to be β ₁=36.03%,β ₂=52.29%,β ₃=11.15%,β ₄=0.533%. The emission cross section at 1062 nm is 9.87×10⁻²⁰ cm².     

Mid-Infrared Emission Characteristic and Energy Transfer of Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Doped Tellurite Glass Sensitized by Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

We report on 2.0-μm emission characteristic and energy transfer of Ho³⁺-doped tellurite glass sensitized by Tm³⁺ upon excitation of a conventional 808 nm laser diode. The Judd-Ofelt strength parameters, spontaneous radiative transition probabilities and radiative lifetime of Ho³⁺ have been calculated from the absorption spectra by using the Judd-Ofelt theory. Significant enhancement of 2.0-μm emission of Ho³⁺ has been observed with increasing Tm³⁺ doping up to 0.7 mol%. The energy transfer coefficient of the forward Tm³⁺→Ho³⁺ is approximately 17 times larger than that of the backward Tm³⁺←Ho³⁺ energy transfer. Our result indicates that the maximum gain of 2.0-μm emission, assigned to the transition of ⁵I₇→⁵I₈ of Ho³⁺, might be achieved from the tellurite glass at the concentration of 0.5 mol% of Tm₂O₃ and 0.15 mol% of Ho₂O₃. The high gain coefficient and quantum efficiency (1.16) along with the large value of the product of the stimulated emission cross-section and the measured radiative lifetime (4.12×10⁻²⁷ m²s) of the Ho³⁺/Tm³⁺-codoped tellurite glasses might find potential applications in efficient 2.0-μm laser.     

Absorption saturation properties and laser Q-switch performance of Cr<Superscript>5+</Superscript>-doped YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal

The ground-state and excited-state absorption cross sections of a Cr⁵⁺:YVO₄ single crystal were determined by the intensity-dependant transmission measurements to be(2.0±0.4)×10^-18 cm² and less than 0.1×10^-18 cm² at 1.08 μm, respectively. The bleaching relaxation time of the Cr⁵⁺:YVO₄ crystal was estimated to be 3.5±1.5 ns. Passive Q-switching of a diode-pumped Yb³⁺:YVO₄ laser with the Cr⁵⁺:YVO₄ saturable absorber was realized. PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.60.Gd; 42.70.Hj     

Growth and laser properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:Sr<Subscript>6</Subscript>YSc(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript> crystal

The crystal of Nd³⁺:Sr₆YSc(BO₃)₆ with dimensions of O 19×42 mm³ was grown by the Czochralski method. It’s spectral and laser properties have been investigated. The absorption cross section is 1.47×10^-20 cm² with a FWHM 12.0 nm at 807 nm, the emission cross section is 1.57×10^-19 cm² at 1060 nm, and the fluorescence lifetime is 76 μs at room temperature. The maximum laser output is 25.7 mJ at 1.06 μm pumped by a single Xenon flash lamp and the overall and average slope efficiencies are 0.12% and 0.09%, respectively. The laser energy threshold value is 1.28 J. PACS 42.55.Rz; 42.70.Hj; 78.20.-e     

Luminescence of transparent glass ceramics containing Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> zirconate-titanate nanocrystals

Luminescence regularities have been studied in new erbium/ytterbium materials based on glasses and glass ceramics of a magnesium-aluminosilicate system containing nanoscale erbium/ytterbium zirconate titanate crystals with the pyrochlore structure. Lifetimes of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in the ² F_5/2 state and in the ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴I_13/2 states, respectively, and the efficiency of Yb³⁺ → Er³⁺ energy transfer have been evaluated. The identified spectral-luminescent characteristics of the studied glasses and glass ceramics co-doped with erbium and ytterbium ions show that these materials are promising media for producing laser generation in the spectral range around 1.5 μm.     

Infrared laser-spectroscopic analysis of <Superscript>14</Superscript>NO and <Superscript>15</Superscript>NO in human breath

We report on monitoring of nitric oxide (NO) traces in human breath via infrared cavity leak-out spectroscopy. Using a CO sideband laser near 5 μm wavelength and an optical cavity with two high-reflectivity mirrors (R=99.98%), the minimum detectable absorption is 2×10⁻¹⁰ cm⁻¹ Hz^1/2. This allows for spectroscopic analysis of rare NO isotopologues with unprecedented sensitivity. Application to simultaneous online detection of ¹⁴NO and ¹⁵NO in breath samples collected in the nasal cavity is described for the first time. We achieved a noise-equivalent detection limit of 7 parts per trillion for nasal ¹⁵NO (integration time: 70 s).     

Spectroscopic Properties and Energy Transfer Analysis of Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Doped BaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Ga<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-GeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-La<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Glass

This paper reports on the spectroscopic properties and energy transfer analysis of Tm³⁺-doped BaF₂-Ga₂O₃-GeO₂-La₂O₃ glasses with different Tm₂O₃ doping concentrations (0.2, 0.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 3.5, 4.0 wt%). Mid-IR fluorescence intensities in the range of 1,300 nm−2,200 nm have been measured when excited under an 808 nm LD for all the samples with the same pump power. Energy level structure and Judd-Ofelt parameters have been calculated based on the absorption spectra of Tm³⁺, cross-relaxation rates and multi-phonon relaxation rates have been estimated with different Tm₂O₃ doping concentrations. The maximum fluorescence intensity at around 1.8 μm has been obtained in Tm₂O₃-3 wt% sample and the maximum value of calculated stimulated emission cross-section of Tm³⁺ in this sample is about 0.48 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² at 1,793 nm, and there is not any crystallization peak in the DSC curve of this sample, which indicate the potential utility of Tm³⁺-doped BaF₂-Ga₂O₃-GeO₂- La₂O₃ glass for 2.0-μm optical fiber laser.     

Longitudinal dynamics of <Superscript>197</Superscript>Au<Superscript>32+</Superscript> and <Superscript>197</Superscript>Au<Superscript>79+</Superscript> ions in NICA injection chain

The main objective of the NICA project developed at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) is to conduct experimental studies with colliding heavy ion beams in an energy range of 1–4.5 GeV/nucleonucleon with luminosity on the level of 1 × 10²⁷ cm⁻² s⁻¹. In this paper the operation regime of the collider injection chain providing the bunch with experimentally desirable parameters at the output of the Nuclotron is considered for gold ions as an example.     

Nonlinear optical properties of Cr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped laser crystals

The nonlinear optical properties in six Cr³⁺-doped laser crystals LiCaAlF₆, LiSrGaAlF₆, Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂, Gd₃Sc₂Ga₃O₁₂, LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉ and Alexandrite are investigated with the help of the Z-Scan technique at λ = 532 nm in the CW regime. The data reported here include particularly the excited state absorption cross section and the third-order nonlinear susceptibilities. It is found that the three first systems only exhibit both refractive and absorptive nonlinear effects, whereas the three others have only absorptive effects. Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ shows the best nonlinear potentialities. The excited state absorption cross section corresponding mainly to the ⁴T₂ →   ⁴T₁ transition is found to be ranging between 8.9 × 10⁻²² cm² in LiSGaF and 3.1 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² in LaMgAl₁₁O₁₉. The calculated ratio of the third order nonlinear susceptibility to the ground state absorption coefficient is found to be largest in GGG with a value of 146 × 10⁻⁶ esu.cm and smallest in Alexandrite (0.6 × 10⁻⁶ esu.cm).     

Direct calculation of transition intensities in LiYF<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

Duan’s simple model is extended to analyze the mixing of the 4f ^{N − 1}5d configuration with the 4f ^N states. The explicit static coupling and traditional dynamic coupling are considered, and the parameters are fitted according to the absorption spectrum in LiYF₄: Nd³⁺. The parameter values obtained are as follows: T ₃₂ = −28i × 10⁻⁷, T ₅₂ = −1151i × 10⁻⁷, A ₃₂² = 192i × 10⁻¹² cm, A ₅₂⁴ = i × 10⁻¹² cm, A ₇₂⁶ = 54i × 10⁻¹² cm, and A ₇₆⁶ = −680i × 10⁻¹² cm. Compared to the experimental measurements, the present model yields better results than those obtained from the Judd-Ofelt theory. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Spectroscopic properties of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Sc:LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal

The results of Er³⁺ ion spectroscopic analysis in Sc:LiNbO₃ crystals were reported. The line strengths from the ground state to the excited state were evaluated from the measured unpolarized absorption spectrum and analyzed by using standard Judd–Ofelt theory. For Sc(3 mol. %):Er (1 mol. %):LiNbO₃ crystal, the obtained intensity parameters are: Ω₂=3.72×10^-20 cm², Ω₄=1.07×10^-20 cm², and Ω₆=0.98×10^-20 cm². The fluorescence spectra and microsecond time-resolved spectra were investigated in the visible region. The excited state absorption transition strengths at 800 nm excitation were evaluated based on Judd–Ofelt theory. The results obtained here were compared to results from other research on Er:LiNbO₃ crystals. PACS 71.20.Eh; 77.84.Dy; 42.70.Hj; 42.62.Fi; 42.65.Ky     

Spectroscopic properties of fluorophosphate glass with high Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> concentration

Fluorophosphate glass with 4 mol. % ErF₃ content was prepared. The different scanning calorimetry was conducted. Raman spectrum, infrared transmission spectrum, absorption spectrum were measured. Fluorescence spectrum and lifetime of emission around 1.53 μm were measured under 970 nm laser diode excitation. The metaphosphate content in the composition is limited, but the maximum phonon energy of glass amounts to 1290 cm^-1, and is comparatively high. The full width at half maximum is about 56 nm, and is wider than for most of the materials investigated. The measured lifetime of ⁴ I _13/2→⁴ I _15/2 transition, contributed by the high phonon energy, inefficient interaction of Er³⁺ ions, and low water content, amounts to no less than 7.36 ms though the Er³⁺ concentration is high. This work might provide useful information for the development of compact optical devices. PACS 78.20.-e; 42.70.Ce; 42.70.Hj; 32.70.Cs     

Studies on Interaction of Norfloxacin,Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, and DNA by Spectral Methods

The interactions of norfloxacin (NFA), DNA, and Cu²⁺ are studied by fluorescence and UV-spectra method. According to the experimental results, it can be concluded that NFA can form a steady binary complex with Cu²⁺. There is a linear relationship between the Fluorescence intensity of the norfloxacin–Cu²⁺–DNA system and the concentration of DNA. And when the concentration of the NFA is 1.95×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, they possess a good linearity in the concentration of DNA ranged from 4.7×10⁻⁶ to 2.8×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹.It is a good method due to the high sensitivity and selectivity.     

Absolute cross-sections and kinetic-energy-release distributions for electron-impact ionization and dissociation of CD<Stack><Subscript>3</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack>

Absolute cross-sections have been measured for electron-impact dissociative excitation and ionization of CD₂⁺ leading to formation of CD₂²⁺, CD⁺, C⁺, D₂⁺ and D⁺. The animated crossed-beams method is applied in the energy range from the reaction threshold up to 2.5 keV. The maximum total cross-sections are found to be (1.2±0.1)×10^-17 cm², (6.1±0.7)×10^-17 cm², (6.4±0.7)×10^-17 cm², (26.3±3.8)×10^-19 cm² and (14.9±1.4)×10^-17 cm² for CD₂²⁺, CD⁺, C⁺, D₂⁺ and D⁺ respectively. Individual contributions for dissociative excitation and dissociative ionization are determined for each singly-charged product, which are of significant interest in fusion plasma edge modelling and diagnostics. Conforming to the scheme recently applied in the CD₄⁺ and in the CD₃⁺ articles, the cross-sections are presented in closed analytic forms convenient for implementation in plasma simulation codes. Kinetic-energy-release distributions are determined for each ionic fragment at selected electron energies.     

Growth,spectroscopic and laser properties of Yb<Superscript>3<Emphasis Type="Bold">+</Emphasis></Superscript>-doped GdAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal: a candidate for infrared laser crystal

Yb³⁺:GdAl₃(BO₃)₄ (hereafter Yb³⁺:GAB) crystals with large sizes and good optical quality have been grown by the top-seed solution growth (TSSG) method. The polarized absorption and emission spectra have been investigated at room temperature. For the σ-polarization, the intensities of both absorption and emission spectra are stronger than those for the π-polarization, the σ-absorption cross section of Yb³⁺ in GAB being 3.43×10^-20 cm² at 977 nm, and the σ-emission cross section being 0.98×10^-20 cm² at 1045 nm. The fluorescence lifetime of the ² F _5/2→² F _7/2 transition was measured to be 800 μs in the 5% doped sample used for our laser experiments, 993 μs in a 10% doped sample and 569 μs in a 0.5% doped sample. The laser parameters were estimated as: β_min=0.022, I_sat=10.4 kW/cm² and I_min=0.23 kW/cm². About 0.4 W laseroutput at the wavelength of 1043 nm was achieved when the Yb³⁺:GAB crystal was pumped by a 974 nm laser diode, with 27.4% slope efficiency. PACS 42.55.-f; 42.70.Hj; 78.20.-e; 81.10.Dn     

Optical spectra and excited state relaxation dynamics of Sm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Gd<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>5</Subscript> single crystal

Single crystals of gadolinium orthosilicate Gd₂SiO₅ containing 0.5 at% and 5 at% of Sm³⁺ were grown by the Czochralski method. Optical absorption spectra, luminescence spectra and luminescence decay curves were recorded for these systems at 10 K and at room temperature. Comparison of optical spectra recorded in polarized light revealed that the anisotropy of this optically biaxial host affects the intensity distribution within absorption and emission bands related to transitions between multiplets rather than the overall band intensity. It has been found that among four bands of luminescence related to the ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_J (J=5/2–11/2) transitions of Sm³⁺ in the visible and near infrared region the ⁴G_5/2 →⁶H_7/2 one has the highest intensity with a peak emission cross section of 3.54×10⁻²¹ cm² at 601 nm for light polarized parallel to the crystallographic axis c of the crystal. The luminescence decay curve recorded for Gd₂SiO₅:0.5 at% Sm³⁺ follows a single exponential time dependence with a lifetime 1.74 ms, in good agreement with the ⁴G_5/2 radiative lifetime τ _rad=1.78 ms calculated in the framework of Judd-Ofelt theory. Considerably faster and non-exponential luminescence decay recorded for Gd₂SiO₅:5 at% Sm³⁺ sample was fitted to that predicted by the Inokuti-Hirayama theory yielding the microparameter of Sm³⁺–Sm³⁺ energy transfer C _da=1.264×10⁻⁵² cm⁶×s⁻¹.     

The Sensitive Determination of Nucleic Acids Using Fluorescence Enhancement of Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-BenzoylacetoneCetyltrimethylammonium Bromide-Nucleic Acid System

A new quantitative method for micro amounts of nucleic acids in aqueous solution is proposed using Eu³⁺-benzoylacetone (BA) complex as fluorescent probe in the presence of cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTMAB). Under the optimum condition, the ratio of the fluorescence intensities with and without nucleic acids is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acid in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ g/mL for herring sperm DNA (hsDNA), 3.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g/mL for calf thymus DNA(ctDNA) and 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g/mL for yeast RNA (yRNA), and their detection limits are 0.33, 0.21 and 0.99 ng/mL, respectively. Actual sample (DNA of Arabidopsis thaliana) was determined satisfactorily. In addition, the interaction mechanism is also investigated.     

Spectroscopic properties of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals codoped with HfO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The results of the spectroscopic analysis of transition strengths for Er³⁺ ions in a series of Hf:Er:LiNbO₃ crystals with variable Hf content and fixed Er content are reported. Unpolarized UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectra, upconversion fluorescence spectra excited at 800 nm, and microsecond time-resolved spectra excited at 400 nm and 800 nm by 800 nm femtosecond laser were measured at room temperature. The HfO₂ incorporation has influence on Er³⁺ radiative lifetimes, and fluorescence branching ratios. For Hf(4 mol %):Er(1 mol %):LiNbO₃, Ω₂=2.63×10^-20 cm², Ω₄=2.86×10^-20 cm², and Ω₆=0.72×10^-20 cm². Ω₂<Ω₄ is contrary to the Er³⁺ general trend of Ω₂>Ω₄>Ω₆ when the Hf content is below its threshold concentration. In addition, the sum of Ω increases with the Hf content when the HfO₂ content below 6 mol % is unfamiliar. The upconversion mechanism is discussed in this work. PACS 71.20.Eh; 77.84.Dy; 42.62.Fi; 42.65.Ky