Elastic properties of KGd(WO4)2:Ho3+ single crystals studied by Brillouin spectroscopy

The analysis some of the acoustic phonons propagating in pure and Ho³⁺‐doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals in the GHz frequency range by Brillouin scattering method has been presented. For investigated crystals the velocities of the longitudinal and transverse acoustic phonons [100], [010], [001], [101], [101] and [110] have been determined. Moreover, the value of elastic constants C₂₂, C₄₄ and C₆₆ of pure and Ho³⁺‐doped KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals have been estimated. It was revealed that the presence of the Ho³⁺‐ions in KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals, for the used doping concentration 1 at% and 8 at%, does not influence their elastic properties. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical properties of KGd(WO4)2 single crystals studied by Brillouin spectroscopy

The results of a study of KGd(WO₄)₂ single crystals by Brillouin scattering method are presented. The Brillouin spectra for the acoustic phonons propagating in the [100], [010], [001], [110] and [101] directions, taken in 90° and 180° scattering geometry at room temperature have been recorded. Using the Brillouin spectroscopy the refractive indices for some directions of KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals were determined. The refractive indices were also calculated for the same directions by the rotation transformation of the principal optical axes of the optical indicatrix to the crystallographic directions of KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals. Moreover, some anomalies of the acoustic phonons propagating connected with birefringence of KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals were discussed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and characterization of Ytterbium doped KGd(WO4)2 single crystal

Single crystals of Ytterbium doped KGd(WO₄)₂ were grown by Top Seeded Solution Growth technique using K₂WO₄ as flux system. The growth parameters were optimised to get optically transparent crystals. Variation in the lattice parameters were observed in comparison to the pure KGd(WO₄)₂ crystals. The absorption spectra recorded for the Yb:KGW confirms the material suitability for diode pumped solid state lasers. The vibrational studies carried out using spontaneous Raman spectra indicate the strong anionic vibration of the material. PL spectra show the lasing channel of the laser active ions present. Stimulated Raman scattering analysis confirms the material as an efficient Raman laser material. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth and spectral properties of Er3+/Tm3+ co‐doped LiYF4 single crystal

High quality Er³⁺/Tm³⁺:LiYF₄ single crystals were grown by a Bridgman method. The absorption spectra and luminescent properties of the crystals were studied to characterize the effect of Tm³⁺ on the spectroscopic properties upon excitation of an 800 nm laser diode. The broaden 1.5 μm and the enhanced 2.7 μm emission were observed in the Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ co‐doped LiYF₄ single crystals. Meanwhile, the up‐conversion and 1.5 μm emission intensities from Er³⁺ decrease with increasing the ratio of Tm³⁺ to Er³⁺. The energy transfer processes between Tm³⁺ and Er³⁺ in the Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ co‐doped samples were analyzed. The energy transfer efficiency η_ETE from Er³⁺ to Tm³⁺ is calculated. The highest η_ETE of 65.30% for the sample with 0.296 mol% of Er³⁺, 0.496 mol% of Tm³⁺ concentration was obtained. The present work indicates that Er³⁺/Tm³⁺ co‐doped LiYF₄ single crystal can be a promising material for the potential application in infrared devices.     

Defect structure and spectroscopic characteristics of codoped Hf: Er: LiNbO3 crystals

Codoped Hf: Er: LiNbO₃ crystals have been grown by the Czochralski technique. Defect structures of the crystals were analyzed by IR absorption spectra, and the compositions of the crystals were measured by X‐ray fluorescent spectrograph. A new OH^–‐associated vibrational peak at 3492 cm^–1 was revealed in 6 mol % Hf: 1 mol % Er: LiNbO₃ crystal. It was attributed to (Hf_Nb)^–‐OH^–‐(Er_Nb)^2– defect centers. The Er³⁺ concentrations in crystals gradually decreased with the increase of the codoped Hf⁴⁺ concentrations in the melts. The emission characteristics of the crystals were investigated by the fluorescence spectrum. It was found that the luminescent intensity in codoped 6 mol % Hf: 1 mol % Er: LiNbO₃ crystal was 3.5 times stronger than that in single doped 1 mol % Er: LiNbO₃ crystal. The luminescent enhancement effect was successfully explained on the basis of defect structure of the crystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Structural Characteristics of Er Doped LiNbO3 Thin Films Grown by the Liquid Phase Epitaxy Method

Erbium (Er³⁺) doped LiNbO₃ single crystal thin films have been grown LiNbO₃ (001) substrate by the liquid phase epitaxy method. The crystallinity was determined by high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction. The lattice mismatch between Er³⁺ doped LiNbO₃ films and LiNbO₃ (001) substrate was investigated by X‐ray rocking curve analysis. Also we studied the structural characteristics of Er³⁺ doped LiNbO₃ films and surface morphology dependent on the film thickness.     

Investigation of the optical properties of KGd(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>:Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> crystals with allowance for absorption

The optical properties of a biaxial absorbing KGd(WO₄)₂:Nd³⁺ crystal have been investigated. The main refractive indices were measured in the visible spectral range and the absorption and transmission spectra of samples of these crystals were studied. The changes in the refractive indices were in the region of the absorption bands with the use of the Kramers-Kronig relation. Conoscopic pictures of this crystal in the regions of transparency and absorption bands were calculated and are presented.     

Up‐conversion luminescence of ytterbium and thulium codoped potassium yttrium double tungstate crystal

Thulium and ytterbium co‐doped double tungstate Yb³⁺,Tm³⁺: NaY(WO₄)₂ single crystals were prepared by using RF‐heating Czochralski (CZ) pulling method. Its polarized transmittance spectra have been recorded in the region of 290‐2000 nm at room temperature. The energy levels transitions were assigned to the corresponding absorption line. The up‐conversion luminescences at 793 nm and 475 nm were measured when the sample were pumped by 972 nm LD and the energy transfer mechanism between Yb³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions was analyzed.     

Microscopic studies on imperfections in selected YAB single crystals

The as‐grown surface and inner structures of undoped and Nd³⁺‐, Cr³⁺‐, V³⁺‐, Ce³⁺‐, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ – and (Er³⁺ + Yb³⁺) – doped yttrium aluminum borate (YAB) single crystals grown from (K₂Mo₃O₁₀ + B₂O₃) flux by spontaneous crystallization or top seeded solution growth (TSSG) technique, were investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopic and analytic chemical methods. Fine and rough growth hillocks of dislocational origin, growth layers, traces of inner planar defects and foreign phase crystalline debris were found and analyzed on the as‐grown faces of crystals. Irregular grains and regular block structures and foreign phase inclusions were observed and studied in the interior of the crystals. The chemical compositions measured by energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry on perfect and imperfect micro regions are compared with those obtained by flame atomic absorption spectrometry on bulk crystals. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Optical Properties of Er Doped Congruent and Stoichiometric LiNbO3 Single Crystals

Erbium doped LiNbO₃ (Er:LiNbO₃) single crystal fibers were grown free of cracks along c‐axis by the micro‐pulling down (μ‐PD) method. We have investigated the up‐conversion property with the change of doped Er₂O₃ concentration and the starting melt composition. An enhancement of green upconversion according host matrix is also observed the stoichiometric LiNbO₃. And, the dependence of the green emission according to Er³⁺ concentration is analyzed. The possible application of the Er³⁺ doped stoichiometric LiNbO₃ single crystal fiber for up‐conversion based optical devices is discussed.     

Micro‐Pulling Down Growth of Co‐doped Lithium Niobate Single Crystal Fibers According Er and Mg Contents and Photolumenescence Properties

The Er³⁺doped Mg:LiNbO₃single crystal fibers employed in our experiment were grown in air by a micro‐pulling down (μ‐PD) method from host materials of a congruent Li/Nb (0.945) ratio which were melt‐doped with a nominal molar concentration of 1, 3, 5% MgO and 0.6% Er₂O₃. The X‐ray diffraction analysis results indicated that the co‐doped crystals main tained the same structural characteristics as the undoped LiNbO₃, however the lattice parameters with Mg differed; c (Å) value decreased, and a (Å) increased than of pure LiNbO₃. The influence of dopants on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of the Er:Mg:LiNbO₃ single crystal fibers excited by laser lines of 514 nm was reported. Also, the PL properties according to temperature and the excitation power of Er:Mg:LiNbO₃ crystal fibers were analyzed.     

Acoustical properties of single crystals of mercurous halides

Velocities of propagation of elastic waves along principal crystallographic directions in Hg₂Br₂ and Hg₂J₂ single crystals were measured using the pulse and phase-pulse techniques. The values obtained were used to calculate the components of the elastic tensors c_ik and s_ik, as well as the phase and group velocities of propagation of longitudinal and transverse waves in the (100) and (001) planes, and the angular deviation of acoustic energy flux from the direction of the corresponding wave normal. Knowledge of the anisotropy of the elastic properties of Hg₂X₂ crystals and of their change with the anion (X = Cl, Br, J) leads to deeper understanding of the character of bonds in the crystal lattice and points the way to a better utilization of technical properties of the crystals. — Minimum velocity of propagation of an elastic wave falls in the case of Hg₂J₂ to a value v [100] [11 10] = 0,25 · 10⁵ cm/s, what is the lowest value known among all crystals. Maximum angular deviation of acoustic energy flux — nearly 50° — is exhibited by the quasi-longitudinal wave in Hg₂J₂ crystals. On substituting the Cl⁻ ions with Br⁻ and J⁻ ions, the anisotropy of elastic moduli C₃₃/C₁₁ increases by nearly 80%. Different mechanisms contribute to vectorial dependence of the elastic properties along different crystallographic directions.     

Physical properties of self-flux and WO3-containing solutions useful for growing type III KGd(PO3)4 single crystals

Density, surface tension and dynamic viscosity of self-flux and WO₃-containing solutions useful for growing type III KGd(PO₃)₄ single crystals have been measured at temperature near the saturation temperature. The thermal behavior of these physical properties has also been studied. Solutions containing WO₃ show a higher density than self-flux solutions and the density decreases linearly when the temperature increases, in the two cases. Near the saturation temperature, self-flux solutions present a surface tension slightly lower than that of WO₃-containing solutions. The dynamic viscosity of WO₃-containing solutions is slightly lower than that of self-flux solutions when this property was measured at the same temperature. We observed that, in WO₃-containing solutions, the saturation temperature is lower than in self-flux solutions. Thus, at the growth temperatures, the two solutions present dynamic viscosities only slightly different, so we expect that the introduction of WO₃ up to 10 mol% in the growth solution does not represent any important improvement in its hydrodynamics and this small change does not compensate for the possibility of introduction of tungsten impurities in the crystal structure affecting the physical properties expected for these crystals. Taking into account the values measured for these physical properties, we choose the initial conditions for growing type III KGd(PO₃)₄ single crystals from self-flux solutions.     

Growth and evaluation of lanthanoids orthoniobates single crystals processed by a miniature pedestal growth technique

Optimized conditions for the growth of lanthanoids orthoniobates (LnNbO₄, Ln = lanthanide elements) single crystal minirods by a floating zone technique were investigated. Adequate atmospheres and pulling to feeding speed ratios to grow these materials were determined. Emphasis is given to the study of LaNbO₄ because of their more favorable growth conditions and crystalline quality. This material can be efficiently doped with rare earth elements such as erbium. It grows with high crystallinity and its preferential growth direction is [1 1 0]. A preliminary evaluation of optical properties of Er³⁺‐doped LaNbO₄ single crystal under the Judd‐Ofelt formalism indicates spectral parameters Ω_t close and even larger than for Er³⁺ ions in YVO₄. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Elastic and elasto‐optical properties of Rb1–x(NH4)xH2AsO4 mixed crystals studied by Brillouin spectroscopy

The elastic and elasto‐optical properties of Rb_1–x (NH₄)_x H₂AsO₄ mixed crystals were studied by Brillouin spectroscopy at room temperature. The measurements were made on single crystals obtained from the aqueous solution by slow evaporation. The behaviour of bulk phonons propagating in investigated crystals was studied for different polarisations of incident and scattered beam. The components of the tensors of elasto‐optical and elastic properties of the crystals studied were determined. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Influence of Zn2+ ions concentration on the optical properties of Zn/Er:LiNbO3 crystals

Congruent Er³⁺(3 mol%):LiNbO₃ crystals codoped with ZnO (X mol %, X=0, 3, 6 and 7) were grown by the Czochralski technique. The Er contents in the crystals were measured by an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP‐AES). Under 800 nm excitation, the upconversion emission spectra reveal an enhancement of the green emission with respect to the red emission when the Zn²⁺ ions are introduced into Er:LiNbO₃ crystal. The effect of Zn²⁺ ions concentration on the intensity ratio of the green to red emission has been investigated. Two cross‐relaxation processes (²H_11/2 + ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_11/2 + ⁴F_9/2 and ⁴F_7/2 + ⁴I_11/2 → ⁴F_9/2 + ⁴F_9/2) are involved in populating the ⁴F_9/2 state, which bypass the green‐emitting states. The OH^‐ absorption spectra indicate that the Zn²⁺ codoping leads to a decreased concentration of Er³⁺ cluster sites contributing to the enhancement of the green emission. The studies on UV‐vis absorption spectra show that the heavily codoped with Zn²⁺ results in the reformation of the Er³⁺ cluster sites in Er:LiNbO₃. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Crystal growth and spectral analysis of Dy3+ and Er3+ doped KPb2Cl5 as a mid‐infrared laser crystal

This paper reports crystal growth and optical characteristics of dysprosium (Dy³⁺) and erbium (Er³⁺) doped mid‐infrared laser crystal ternary‐potassium‐lead‐chloride (KPb₂Cl₅). Two transparent crystals with good optical quality have been grown successfully by using the Bridgman technique,the largest crystal size reaches up to ∅︁10×60mm². Measurements of X‐ray diffraction(XRD) and absorption spectra were carried out. Based on Judd‐Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters Ω_t(t=2,4,6), the experimental and theoretical oscillator strengths have been obtained.The intensity parameters Ω_t(t=2,4,6) of Er³⁺:KPb₂Cl₅ were calculated to be Ω₂=5.10×10^‐20 cm², Ω₄=1.25×10^‐20 cm², Ω₆=0.83×10^‐20 cm², and the values for Dy³⁺:KPb₂Cl₅ were calculated to be Ω₂=6.26×10^‐20 cm², Ω₄=2.45×10^‐20 cm², Ω₆=0.04×10^‐20 cm² respectively. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Energy transfer between Tm and Er ions in a TeO2-based glass pumped at diode laser wavelength

In this paper we investigate the energy transfer processes in Tm³⁺/Er³⁺ doped telluride glass pumped at the commercial diode laser pump wavelength ∼800 nm. Tailoring the rare-earths content in the glass matrix, seven main energy transfer channels within the doping range considered were identified. A 6-fold enhancement of the Er³⁺ visible frequency upconversion fluorescence at ∼660 nm is observed due to the inclusion of Tm³⁺ ions. This is evidence of the relevant contribution of the route Er₁(⁴I_11/2) + Er₂(⁴I_13/2) → Er₁(⁴I_15/2) + Er₂(⁴F_9/2) to the process. Energy migration among pumped ⁴I_9/2 level reducing the efficiency of the upconversion emission rate (³H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2, and ⁴F_9/2) is observed for Er³⁺ above 1.5 wt%. The rate equations regarding the observed energy transfer routes are determined and a qualitative analysis of the observed processes is reported.     

Low symmetry centers in LiNbO3 doped with Yb and Er

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy studies of LiNbO₃ single crystal doped with 1 wt% of Yb³⁺ and 0.1 wt% Er are reported. Additionally, Raman spectra of the following crystals are presented: LiNbO₃:Nd, Yb (0.5 wt%, 0.7 wt%), LiNbO₃:Nd, Mg (2 wt%, 6 wt%), and LiNbO₃:Er (0.3 wt%). Raman spectra have revealed bands in the 50–220 cm^?1 range, suggesting the presence of localized phonons. The localized phonons may be considered as indirect evidence of local perturbations around Yb/Er ions, possibly due to formation of Yb/Er ion pairs. EPR spectra are interpreted basing on this presumption using a spin Hamiltonian for the Yb³⁺ dissimilar ion pairs. This model explains the observed spectral features, apparently due to the C₁ symmetry of Yb ions. In the case of the LN:Er sample, the angular dependence of EPR lines enabled distinguishing the presence of several non-equivalent centers. After deconvolution of the main EPR line into several Lorentzian components, the Er³⁺ center with the lowest C₁ point group symmetry was resolved and values of the g tensor were estimated.     

Thermo-optical properties and nonradiative quantum efficiency of Er3+-doped and Er3+/Tm3+-co-doped tellurite glasses

Thermal lens (TL) measurements were performed in tellurite glasses, 70TeO₂–19WO₃–7Na₂O–4Nb₂O₅ (mol%), undoped, doped with Er³⁺ (1.19 × 10²⁰ ions/cm³) and co-doped with Er³⁺ (1.19 × 10²⁰ ions/cm³)/Tm³⁺ (1.56 × 10²⁰ ions/cm³). The absolute nonradiative quantum efficiency (ϕ) was determined by the TL method. The ϕ values for Er³⁺/Tm³⁺-co-doped and Er³⁺-doped tellurite glasses were 0.98 and 0.74, respectively. Fluorescence spectra were performed at λ_e = 488 nm and used to estimate the fluorescence quantum efficiency (η) using the TL results. These values were compared with results obtained by Judd–Ofelt calculations.