Effect of Nd concentration on structural and optical properties of Nd:Y2O3 transparent ceramic

Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics with different Nd concentration (0.1-7.0at%) were fabricated using ZrO₂ as additive. All the samples exhibit high transparency over a broad spectral region. The elements (Y, O and Nd) are uniformly distributed in the ceramic body, and the average grain size increases with Nd content. Based on the absorption spectrum, the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters are calculated (Ω₂=4.364×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=3.609×10⁻²⁰ cm² and Ω₆=2.919×10⁻²⁰ cm²). The absorption coefficients increase linearly with Nd³⁺ doping concentration. The absorption cross-section at 804 nm and stimulated emission cross-section at 1078 nm are calculated to be 1.54×10⁻²⁰ and 7.24×10⁻²⁰ cm², respectively. All the emission bands exhibit the highest emission intensities with 1.0at% Nd³⁺ ion content, while the lifetime decreases dramatically from 321.5 μs (0.1at% Nd) to 17.9 μs (7.0at% Nd). According to the emission spectra and measured lifetime, the optimum doping concentration of Nd³⁺ ion in Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic might be around 1.0at%.     

Growth and spectral properties of Nd:GdVO4 laser crystal

In this paper, the Czochralski growth, absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra of Nd:GdVO₄ crystals are studied. From its absorption spectra, Nd:GdVO₄ is found to exhibit an anisotropic optical absorption effect, and its effective Judd-Ofelt parameters are calculated: Ω₂=10.281×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=5.426×10⁻²⁰ cm² and Ω₆=9.943×10⁻²⁰ cm². By these parameters, the absorption oscillator strengths, emission oscillator strengths, transition probabilities, fluorescence branch ratios, energy lifetimes, and integrated emission cross-sections are also derived. The photoluminescence spectra of Nd:GdVO₄ crystal consist of a wide emission band of host and the characteristic emission bands of Nd³⁺. Based on the excitation spectrum, both the two evident peaks locating at 345 and 371 nm are ascribed to the characteristic excitation of Nd³⁺, and an energy transfer from the host to its doping Nd³⁺ ions is indicated.     

Investigation of spectroscopic properties and thermal stability of Er/Yb-co-doped Bi2O3-B2O3-Ga2O3 glasses

A series of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-co-doped 60Bi₂O₃-(40−x) B₂O₃ -xGa₂O₃ (BBGA x=0, 4, 8, 12, 16 mol%) glasses have been prepared. The absorption spectra, emission spectra, fluorescence lifetime of Er³⁺:⁴I_13/2 level and thermal stability were measured and investigated. Three Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω_t (t=2,4,6) (Ω₂=(4.67-5.93)×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=(1.50-1.81)×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=(0.92-1.17)×10⁻²⁰ cm²) of Er³⁺ ions were calculated by Judd-Ofelt theory. It is found that the Ω₆ first increases with the increase of Ga₂O₃ content from 0 to 8 mol% and then decreases, which is mainly affected by the number of non-bridging oxygen ions of the glass network. The high peak of stimulated emission cross-section () of Er³⁺: ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition were obtained according to McCumber theory and broad full width at half maximum (FWHM=69-76 nm) of the ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ ions were measured. The results indicate that these new BBGA glasses can be used as a candidate host material for potential broadband optical amplifiers.     

Spectroscopy of Ca3(BO3)2: Dy crystal

Dy³⁺: Ca₃(BO₃)₂ crystal was grown successfully by the Czochraski technique. The absorption spectrum was measured and its absorption peaks were assigned. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were found to be Ω₂=5.216×10⁻²⁰, Ω₄=1.858×10⁻²⁰, Ω₆=0.623×10⁻²⁰ cm². The spectroscopic parameters of this crystal such as the oscillator strengths, radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime as well as the branching ratios were calculated. Also, room temperature luminescence decay curve in correspondence with the emission line ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 centered at 575 nm was measured.     

Influence of B2O3 to the inhomogeneous broadening and spectroscopic properties of Er/Yb codoped fluorophosphate glasses

In a three-components fluorophosphate glass system, the introduction of H₃BO₃ brings some valuable influence to the spectroscopic and thermal properties of the glasses. With H₃BO₃ increases from 2 to 20 mol%, Ω₆, S_ed4I13/2, FWHM, T_g and fluorescence lifetime change from 3.21×10⁻²⁰ cm², 1.77×10⁻²⁰ cm², 45 nm, 480 °C and 8.8 ms to 4.66×10⁻²⁰ cm², 2.11×10⁻²⁰ cm², 50 nm, 541 °C and 7.4 ms, respectively. σ_abs, σ_emi, FWHM×τ_f×σ_emi has a maximum when H₃BO₃ is 11 mol%. T_g and T_x−T_g increases with H₃BO₃ introduction. Results showed that in fluorophosphate glasses, proper amount of B₂O₃ can be used as a modifier to suppress upconversion and improve spectroscopic properties, broadband property and crystallization stability of the glasses while keeps the fluorescence lifetime relatively high.     

Growth and spectroscopic characterization of Er: Sr3Y(BO3)3 crystal

This paper reports the growth and spectroscopic characterization of Er³⁺:Sr₃Y(BO₃)₃ crystal. Er³⁺:Sr₃Y(BO₃)₃ crystal with dimensions up to ∅20×35 mm³ has been grown by Czochralski method. The polarized spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺:Sr₃Y(BO₃)₃ crystal were investigated. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, the effective intensity parameters Ω_t were obtained: Ω₂=1.71×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=1.39×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=0.74×10⁻²⁰ cm² for π-polarization, and Ω₂=1.77×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=1.44×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=0.65×10⁻²⁰ cm² for σ-polarization. The emission cross-section σ_em was calculated to be 4.75×10⁻²¹ cm² for π-polarization at 1536 nm and 6.30×10⁻²¹ cm² for σ-polarization at 1537 nm. The investigated results showed that Er³⁺:Sr₃Y(BO₃)₃ crystal may be regarded as a potential laser host material for 1.55 μm IR solid-state lasers.     

Spectra and intensity parameters of Tm ion in YAlO3 crystal

High quality Tm-doped YAlO₃ (Tm:YAlO₃) single crystals were obtained along crystallographic b-axis by the Czochralski technique. Optical absorption and fluorescence spectra for Tm³⁺ in YAlO₃ crystals were investigated at room temperature. Based on Judd-Ofelt approach, the intensity parameters Ω_t (t = 2, 4, 6) of Tm:YAlO₃ were calculated to be Ω₂ = 0.93 × 10⁻²⁰  cm², Ω₄ = 2.23 × 10⁻²⁰ cm², and Ω₆ = 1.12 × 10⁻²⁰ cm². The spectral parameters such as experimental and theoretical oscillator strengths, radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime and the fluorescence branching ratio were also obtained. All results indicate that Tm:YAlO₃ is a potential candidate for compact, efficient mid-infrared lasers with laser diode pumping.     

Spectroscopic analysis of Er transition in Mg/Er-codoped LiNbO3 crystal

We present a Judd-Ofelt spectroscopic analysis on the Mg/Er-codoped congruent lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) crystals. The Judd-Ofelt model is applied to the room temperature unpolarized absorption intensities of Er³⁺ ions on eleven transition bands to determine their intensity parameters: Ω₂=2.36×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=0.76×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=0.30×10⁻²⁰ cm² in Er:LiNbO₃ crystal heavily codoped with MgO. The radiative lifetime of ²H_9/2 becomes longer when MgO is added into Er:LiNbO₃ crystal. The experimental lifetimes are obtained using microsecond time-resolved spectra at 400 nm femtosecond pulse excitation to predict radiative quantum efficiency. Combining higher radiative quantum efficiency with longer radiative lifetime, we conclude that Mg/Er-codoped LiNbO₃ crystals are more suitable than Er: LiNbO₃ ones in laser materials.     

Spectroscopic investigations of Nd-, Er-, Er/Yb-, and Tm-ions doped SiO2-Al2O3-CaF2-GdF3 glasses

This paper reports on the absorption, visible and near-infrared luminescence properties of Nd³⁺, Er³⁺, Er³⁺/2Yb³⁺, and Tm³⁺ doped oxyfluoride aluminosilicate glasses. From the measured absorption spectra, Judd-Ofelt (J-O) intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄ and Ω₆) have been calculated for all the studied ions. Decay lifetime curves were measured for the visible emissions of Er³⁺ (558 nm, green), and Tm³⁺ (650 and 795 nm), respectively. The near infrared emission spectrum of Nd³⁺ doped glass has shown full width at half maximum (FWHM) around 45 nm (for the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 transition), 45 nm (for the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 transition), and 60 nm (for the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_13/2 transition), respectively, with 800 nm laser diode (LD) excitation. For Er³⁺, and Er³⁺/2Yb³⁺ co-doped glasses, the characteristic near infrared emission bands were spectrally centered at 1532 and 1544 nm, respectively, with 980 nm laser diode excitation, exhibiting full width at half maximum around 50 and 90 nm for the erbium ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition. The measured maximum decay times of ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition (at wavelength 1532 and 1544 nm) are about 5.280 and 5.719 ms for 1Er³⁺ and 1Er³⁺/2Yb³⁺ (mol%) co-doped glasses, respectively. The maximum stimulated emission cross sections for ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ are 10.81×10⁻²¹ and 5.723×10^-21 cm². These glasses with better thermal stability, bright visible emissions and broad near-infrared emissions should have potential applications in broadly tunable laser sources, interesting optical luminescent materials and broadband optical amplification at low-loss telecommunication windows.     

Growth and optical property of ZnWO4: Er crystal

Good quality crystals ZnWO₄ activated with Er³⁺ have been grown by means of Czochralski method and characterized using optical spectroscopy techniques. XRD, absorption spectra, fluorescence spectrum are presented and the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters Ω₂, Ω₄, and Ω₆ are obtained to be 6.76×10^-20, 0.37×10^-20, and 0.50×10^-20 cm², respectively. Along crystallographic axes, refractive indices are presented. The fluorescence decay time of the ⁴I_13/2 level has also been investigated and shows an exponential behavior with a lifetime value of 5.52 ms. The crystal is potentially used for green and infrared eye-safe lasers.     

Spectroscopic properties of Tm -doped Ba3Gd2(BO3)4 crystal

crystal with the size up to Φ 13 mm×44 mm was grown successfully by the Czochralski technique and its optical properties were presented. The absorption cross-section and emission cross-section were presented. Also, the potential laser gain near 1.9 μm was investigated. In the framework of the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory, the intensity parameters were calculated to be: Ω₂=11.375×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=5.077×10⁻²⁰ cm² and Ω₆=6.524×10⁻²⁰ cm². The spectroscopic parameters of this crystal such as the oscillator strengths, radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime as well as the branching ratios were calculated, too. This crystal is promising as a tunable infrared laser crystal.     

Optical properties of Er/Yb-codoped transparent PLZT ceramic

Optical absorption and emission spectra of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ ions in PLZT (Pb_1−xLa_xZr_yTi_1−yO₃) ceramic have been studied. Based on the Judd—Ofelt (J-O) theory, the J-O intensity parameters were calculated to be Ω₂=2.021×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=0.423×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=0.051×10⁻²⁰ cm² from the absorption spectrum of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped PLZT. The J-O intensity parameters have been used to calculate the radiative lifetimes and the branching ratios for some excited ⁴I_13/2, ⁴I_11/2, ⁴I_9/2⁴F_9/2, and ⁴S_3/2 levels of Er³⁺ ion. The stimulated emission cross-section (8.24×10⁻²¹ cm²) was evaluated for the ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺. The upconversion emissions at 538, 564, and 666 nm have been observed in Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped PLZT by exciting at 980 nm, and their origins were identified and analyzed.     

Fluorescence and Judd-Ofelt analysis of Nd ions in oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals

Judd-Ofelt analyses of Nd³⁺ ions in the oxyfluoride glasses and glass ceramics containing CaF₂ nanocrystals are performed to evaluate the intensity parameters Ω_2,4,6, spontaneous emission probability, radiative lifetime, quantum efficiency, as well as stimulated emission cross-section. The influences of Nd³⁺-doping level and heating temperature on these parameters for the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_J (J=9/2, 11/2, and 13/2) transitions are systematically discussed. The decrease of intensity parameter Ω₂ evidences the incorporation of Nd³⁺ ions into CaF₂ nanocrystals after crystallization. With increasing of Nd³⁺-doping level, the measured lifetime and quantum efficiency gradually decrease, while the stimulated emission cross-section keeps almost unchanged. For 1.0 mol% Nd³⁺-doped sample, both the emission intensity and the measured lifetime enhance with increasing of heating temperature up to 650 °C. The results indicate that the investigated glass ceramics are potentially applicable as the 1.06 um laser host.     

Spectroscopic characteristic and energy levels of Cr in Cr:KAl(MoO4)2 crystal

This paper reports polarized spectral properties and energy levels of Cr³⁺ in KAl(MoO₄)₂ crystal. The absorption and emission cross sections are estimated as 3.72×10^-20 cm² at 669 nm and 2.74×10^-20 cm^-2 at 823 nm for σ-polarization, respectively. The energy levels of Cr³⁺ ion in KAl(MoO₄)₂ crystal were calculated based on the Tanabe-Sugano theory. It is suggested that Cr³⁺ ions occupy at an intermediate crystal field site in Cr³⁺:KAl(MoO₄)₂.     

Optical spectroscopy of Er:YSGG laser crystal

Er:YSGG single crystals with good optical quality were grown by Czochralski method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements show that the crystal lattice parameters of the 30 at.% Er³⁺-doped YSGG crystal were a=b=c=12.4640±0.0065 Å, α=β=γ=90°. The doping concentration of Er³⁺ in YSGG was calculated. The absorption spectrum and photoluminescence spectra of Er:YSGG crystal were studied at room temperature. Based on Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory, the J-O intensity parameters Ω_t (t=2, 4, 6), the experimental and theoretical oscillator strengths were calculated using the absorption spectrum. The intensity parameters Ω_t (t=2,4,6) obtained to be Ω₂=0.23×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=0.86×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₆=0.37×10⁻²⁰ cm², respectively. With these intensity parameters, the line strengths, oscillator strengths, transition probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios and radiation lifetimes were calculated. The photoluminescence spectra and excitation spectrum of Er:YSGG were measured and studied.     

Analysis on fluorescence of dual excitable Eu(TTA)3DPBT in toluene solution and PMMA

Photoluminescence of Eu(TTA)₃DPBT (TTA=thenoyltrifluoro-acetonate DPBT=2-(N,N-diethylanilin-4-yl)-4,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine) in toluene and PMMA thin film are measured with excitation at 350 and 404 nm, respectively, and analyzed using Judd-Ofelt theory. Under excitation at 350 nm, it is found that Eu(TTA)₃DPBT in toluene has a larger Ω₂ value (14.33×10⁻²⁰ cm²) than that (12.70×10⁻²⁰ cm²) of Eu(TTA)₃Phen (Phen=1,10-phenanthroline) in the same solvent, and has a smaller Ω₂ value (12.70×10⁻²⁰ cm²) in PMMA than that (Ω₂=14.09×10⁻²⁰ cm²) of Eu(TTA)₃Phen in PMMA. At the same time, it can be seen that under excitation at 350 nm Ω₂ value of Eu(TTA)₃DPBT in toluene is larger than that in PMMA. Excited by 404 nm, Ω₂ of Eu(TTA)₃DPBT obtained in toluene and in PMMA are the same as that excited at 350 nm. The transition probability (A), emission cross-section (σ) and the fluorescence branching ratio (β) are also evaluated. The lifetime of ⁵D₀ metastable state is measured on 350 and 404 nm excitation, respectively. For the former situation, it is 455 μs in toluene and 640 μs in PMMA, for the latter it is 460 μs in toluene and 664 μs in PMMA. By comparing absorptions with excitations, it can be found that DPBT is more efficient than TTA as an energy donor. Phosphorescence spectra are also measured to estimate the lowest triplet level and analyze the energy transfer for DPBT and TTA, from which it is found that the energy transfer from TTA to DPBT occurs in the luminescent process.     

Investigations on Pr1.6Sr0.4NiO4-YSZ-Ag composite cathode for solid oxide fuel cells

Ag-network was successfully deposited by VA-EP (vacuum assisted electroless plating) method on Pr_1.6Sr_0.4NiO₄-YSZ cathode to form (1−x) wt% Pr_1.6Sr_0.4NiO₄−x wt% YSZ-Ag (x=0, 10, 20, 30, 40) (abbr. PYx-Ag) composite cathode. XRD results suggested that there was a good chemical stability between Pr_1.6Sr_0.4NiO₄ and YSZ at temperatures below 1050 °C. PY20-Ag cathode exhibited higher exchange current density, lower overpotential and ASR (Area Specific Resistance) than PY20 cathode. At 650 °C, the ASR of PY20-Ag cathode was 2.5 Ω cm², which was only about 42% of that of PY20, 5.9 Ω cm². PY20-Ag can be a promising candidate for SOFC cathode.     

The size and strain effects on the Raman spectra of Ce1−xNdxO2−δ (0≤x≤0.25) nanopowders

Ultrafine Ce_1−xNd_xO_2−δ (x=0-0.25) powders were synthesized by self-propagating room temperature synthesis. Raman spectra were measured at room temperature in the 300-700 cm⁻¹ spectral range. The shift and asymmetric broadening of the Raman F_2g mode at about 454 cm⁻¹ in pure and doped ceria samples could be explained with combined size and inhomogenous strain effects. Increased concentration of O²⁻ vacancies with doping is followed by an appearance of new Raman feature at about 545 cm⁻¹.     

Spectral properties of Nd-doped Sr3Ga2Ge4O14 crystal

Neodymium doped strontium gallogermanate crystals were grown successfully by the Bridgman technique. The linear thermal expansion coefficients for the c- and a-axes were measured as 5.8 × 10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹ and 6.5 × 10⁻⁶ °C⁻¹. Absorption spectra, and fluorescence spectra, as well as fluorescence decay curves of Nd³⁺-doped Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ crystal, have been recorded at room temperature and used to calculate the absorption and stimulated emission cross-sections. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, three intensity parameters were obtained. The luminescent quantum efficiency of the ⁴F_3/2 level was determined to be approximately 73.8% for this material. Compared with other Nd³⁺-doped laser crystals, Nd³⁺-doped Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ crystal displays special laser properties due to its disorder structure.     

The great potential of coupled substitutions in In2O3 for the generation of bixbyite-type transparent conducting oxides, In2−2xMxSnxO3

The study of coupled substitution of In³⁺ by Sn⁴⁺/M²⁺ species in In₂O₃ has allowed In_2−2xSn_xM_xO₃ solid solutions with bixbyite structure to be synthesized for M=Ni, Mg, Zn, Cu and Ca. The latter exhibit a rather broad homogeneity range and are characterized by an ordered cationic distribution. More importantly, these novel oxides are transparent conductors, and among them the Zn and Cu phases show a great potential, since one observes a semi-metallic behavior with conductivity up to 3×10² and 3×10³ (Ω cm)⁻¹, respectively, to be compared to 2×10³ (Ω cm)⁻¹ for reduced ITO. Moreover, in contrast to the latter no reducing conditions are required for reaching such performances.