Optical study of erbium-doped La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 single crystal

Single crystals of erbium-doped La₃Ga_5.5 Ta_0.5O₁₄, grown by the Czochralski method, have been investigated using methods of optical spectroscopy. Room-temperature absorption spectra were analysed in the framework of the Judd-Ofelt theory. Radiative transition rates, radiative lifetimes and luminescence branching ratios for luminescent levels of Er³⁺ have been evaluated and compared to measured luminescence intensities and lifetimes. The laser potential associated with the ⁴I_13/2-⁴I_15/2 transition near 1.55 μm has been assessed. It has been concluded that La₃Ga_5.5 Ta_0.5,O₁₄:Er crystal is an intermediate gain laser material exhibiting strong inhomogeneous broadening of absorption bands, advantageous for optical pumping with laser diodes.