Spectroscopy of NaLa(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and NaGd(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> crystals as advanced laser materials

Single crystals of double sodium-containing lanthanum and gadolinium molybdates doped with Tm³⁺ ions were synthesized by the Czochralski method. The spectroscopic properties of these crystals were investigated from the viewpoint of their use as active media in diode-pumped lasers. The polarized spectra of absorption on the ³ H ₄ and ³ F ₄ levels and the polarized spectra of luminescence due to the ³ F ₄-³ H ₆ laser transition were recorded, and the lifetimes of the ³ H ₄ and ³ F ₄ excited states of the Tm³⁺ ions were determined. The luminescence cross sections were calculated using the Füchtbauer-Ladenburg formula. The simulation of the decay curve of the ³ H ₄ excited state according to the Golubov-Konobeev-Sakun method revealed that, in the crystals under investigation, the interaction between Tm³⁺ ions predominantly occurs through the dipole-dipole mechanism.     

Diode-pumped Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:YAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> laser at 1338 nm

A high-power diode -pumped Nd³⁺:YAl₃(BO₃)₄ (Nd:YAB) laser emitting at 1338 nm is described. At the incident pump power of 9.8 W, as high as 734 mW of continuous-wave (CW) output power at 1338 nm is achieved. The slope efficiency with respect to the incident pump power was 9.0%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of such a laser system. The output power stability over 60 min is better than 2.6%. The laser beam quality M ² factor is 1.21.     

Magnetic properties of the Nd<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Gd<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> single crystal

The magnetic properties of the Nd_0.5Gd_0.5Fe₃(BO₃)₄ single crystal have been studied in principal crystallographic directions in magnetic fields to 90 kG in the temperature range 2–300 K; in addition, the heat capacity has been measured in the range 2–300 K. It has been found that, below the Néel temperature T _N = 32 K down to 2 K, the single crystal exhibits an easy-plane antiferromagnetic structure. A hysteresis has been detected during magnetization of the crystal in the easy plane in fields of 1.0–3.5 kG, and a singularity has been found in the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility in the easy plane at a temperature of 11 K in fields B < 1 kG. It has been shown that the singularity is due to appearance of the hysteresis. The origin of the magnetic properties of the crystal near the hysteresis has been discussed.     

Spectroscopic characteristics of Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in biaxial La<Subscript>2</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal

A Pr³⁺-doped La₂(WO₄)₃ crystal grown by the Czochralski method has been investigated as a promising laser material. The principal axes of the optical indicatrix and Pr³⁺ concentration of the crystal were determined. The polarized absorption, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves of the main emission multiplets of the crystal were measured at room temperature. The spectroscopic parameters were obtained by the modified Judd–Ofelt theory combined with the normalized method. The peak stimulated emission cross-sections of the major emission lines were estimated. The good spectroscopic properties imply that the Pr³⁺:La₂(WO₄)₃ crystal is a potential laser gain medium for solid-state laser and self-stimulated Raman laser applications. PACS 78.20.-e; 42.70.Hj     

Tunable emission and efficient energy-transfer properties of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Mn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> co-doped Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>Gd(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> phosphors

MgO powders subjected to Q-switched laser pulses in water were characterized by X-ray/electron diffraction and optical spectroscopy to have a significant optical property change with accompanied transformation into the phase assemblages of periclase, brucite and liquid-crystalline lamella. The periclase nanoparticles tended to have {111} habit planes parallel to the basal layers of lamella and brucite flakes more or less rolled as fibers, ribbons or tubes. A significant internal compressive stress was built up for periclase and brucite but not the more flexible lamellar phase. The colloidal suspension containing the densified periclase nanoparticles within the rolled brucite/lamellae flakes showed UV–visible absorption corresponding to a minimum band gap of ca. 5 eV.     

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.     

Optical absorption by Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in epitaxial films grown on Gd<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> substrates from a lead-containing solution melt

Epitaxial films of composition (Gd,Nd)₃Ga₅O₁₂ or (Gd,Y,Nd)₃Ga₅O₁₂ with a neodymium content varying from 0.3 to 15 at. % are grown by liquid-phase epitaxy from a supercooled PbO-B₂O₃-based solution melt on Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂(111) substrates. The optical absorption spectra of the epitaxial films grown are measured in the wavelength range 0.2–1.0 µm. The results of interpreting the absorption bands observed in the spectra are used to construct the energy level diagrams of Nd³⁺ and Gd³⁺ ions in the matrices of the epitaxial films.     

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     

Growth and magneto-optical properties of LiTb(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystal

Lithium terbium molybdate (LiTb(MoO₄)₂) single crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The lattice parameters of the crystal were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The absorption coefficient and the Faraday rotation spectrum (B=1.07 T) were investigated at wavelengths of 400–1500 nm at room temperature. Verdet constants of LiTb(MoO₄)₂ crystal at 532-, 633- and 1064-nm wavelengths were measured by the extinction method. The results show that LiTb(MoO₄)₂ crystal has a larger magneto-optical figure of merit than that of terbium gallium garnet at wavelengths of 600–1500 nm.     

Upconversion excitations in Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped BaY<Subscript>2</Subscript>F<Subscript>8</Subscript> crystal

We report the orange-to-blue and infrared-(IR)-to-blue wavelengths upconversion luminescence in Pr³⁺:BaY₂F₈ crystals. Mechanism of the orange light upconversion into blue ³P₀ state emission was confirmed to be energy transfer between two Pr³⁺ ions in the ¹D₂ state. IR-to-blue upconversion has only been observed under two different color IR pumping. The first resonant step was the ³H₄→¹G₄ ground state absorption transition, and the second resonant transition was the excited state absorption from the ¹G₄ to ¹I₆ and ³P_J levels. A comparison of the efficiency of the IR-to-blue upconversion in several praseodymium activated host is presented and discussed. A model of the IR pumped upconversion praseodymium blue laser is presented and the population inversion conditions are calculated.     

Spectral properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in samples of transparent Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

The spectral and luminescent characteristics of samples of Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ ceramics obtained from different precursors under different preparation conditions (the concentration of an HfO₂ compacting additive, the temperature and time of synthesis) are studied at 300 and 77 K. It is shown that the spectral positions of absorption and luminescence lines of ceramics correspond to those of a Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ single crystal. At the same time, the absorption and luminescence spectra show an inhomogeneous broadening, characteristic of disordered crystals and glass. The energies of the ⁴ I _9/2 and ⁴ F _3/2 Stark states of the Nd³⁺ ion are calculated. The calculation results nearly coincide with the data from the literature for the Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ single crystal and transparent ceramics. Samples containing the compacting additive show additional lines, whose intensities correlate with its concentration and the method of preparation of Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ ultradispersed powders. It is assumed that these lines are related to the fact that either Nd³⁺ ions enter the composition of the HfO₂ compacting additive or Hf⁴⁺ ions are present in the nearest environment of Nd³⁺ ions at the boundaries of granules enriched with HfO₂.     

Polarized spectral properties of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in NaGd(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystal

Polarized spectral properties of Er³⁺:NaGd(WO₄)₂ single crystal are reported. The crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The Judd–Ofelt theory was applied to analyze the polarized absorption spectra and then calculate the spontaneous emission probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios. Fluorescence decay curves of the ⁴ I _13/2, ⁴ I _11/2, and ⁴ S _3/2 multiplets for the Er³⁺ ions were measured. Stimulated emission cross-sections of the ⁴ I _13/2→⁴ I _15/2 transition obtained by the Fuchtbauer–Ladenberg formula and the reciprocity method were compared. Multi-phonon relaxation rates of the crystal were estimated. Green up-conversion fluorescence around 531 and 552 nm was observed, and the possible up-conversion mechanisms were proposed. PACS 78.20.-e; 42.70.Hj     

Local structure of Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> impurity centers in a CdF<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystal

The local crystal structure of Gd³⁺ and Eu²⁺ cubic impurity centers in cadmium fluoride is calculated within the shell model in the pair potential approximation. The local compressibility of the cationic and anionic sublattices of the host lattice is determined in the vicinity of the Gd³⁺ (Eu²⁺) impurity ion.     

Luminescence in Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Activated K<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The Dy³⁺ and Eu³⁺ activated K₃Al₂ (PO₄)₃ phosphors were prepared by a combustion synthesis. From a powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis the formation of K₃Al₂ (PO₄)₃ was confirmed. In the photoluminescence emission spectra, the K₃Al₂(PO₄)₃:Dy³⁺ phosphor emits two distinctive colors: blue and yellow whereas K₃Al₂(PO₄)₃:Eu³⁺ emits red color. Thus the combination of colors gives BYR (blue–yellow–red) emissions can produce white light. These phosphors exhibit a strong absorption between 340 and 400 nm which suggest that present phosphor is a promising candidate for producing white light-emitting diodes (LED).     

Spectroscopy and laser properties of Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:KY(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystal

The polarized absorption spectra of Tm³⁺-doped potassium yttrium tungstate (Tm:KY(WO₄)₂) crystal at room temperature were measured. The emission spectrum and lifetime of the ³ F ₄ excited state were determined. Using standard and modified Judd–Ofelt theories, the intensity parameters and the radiative lifetimes were calculated and good agreement with the experimental results was obtained for both theories. Continuous-wave laser operation in Tm:KYW crystal under laser diode pumping at 802 nm and 1750 nm was demonstrated with slope efficiency of 53% and 28% and output power of about 555 mW and 86 mW, respectively. PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.60.Pk; 42.70.Hj     

Thermal and optical properties of Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:NaLa(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystal

A Tm³⁺-doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ single crystal with a dimension of Φ20 mm×40 mm was grown by the Czochralski method. Anisotropic thermal expansion coefficients of this crystal were investigated. Polarized absorption spectra, emission spectra and decay curve were recorded at room temperature. The absorption and emission cross-section were presented. Based on the Judd–Ofelt analysis, we obtained the three intensity parameters: Ω₂=10.21×10^-20, Ω₄=2.66×10^-20, and Ω₆=1.46×10^-20 cm². The radiative probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branch ratios of Tm³⁺:NaLa(WO₄)₂ were calculated, too. Luminescence lifetime of the ³ H ₄ level was measured to be 220 μs. The stimulated emission cross-section for the ³ F ₄→³ H ₆ transition were determined using the reciprocity method, potential laser gain for this transition were also investigated, the gain curves implied that the tunable range is up to 200 nm. PACS 42.70.Hj; 78.20.-e     

On the Luminescence of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, and Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Novel Borate LiSr<Subscript>4</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>

This paper reports on the photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved properties of Ce³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Tb³⁺ in novel LiSr₄(BO₃)₃ powder phosphors. Ce³⁺ shows an emission band peaking at 420 nm under 350-nm UV excitation. Energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Mn²⁺ takes place in the co-doped samples. Eu³⁺ shows red emission under near UV excitation. LiSr₄(BO₃)₃:Eu³⁺ phosphor could be a suitable candidate for phosphor-converted solid state lighting. The luminescence lifetime is 2.13 ms for Eu³⁺ in LiSr₄(BO₃)₃:0.001Eu³⁺. As Eu³⁺ concentration increasing, the decay curves deviate from exponential behavior. Tb³⁺ shows the strongest ⁵D₄→⁷ F₅ emission line at 540 nm. Decay curves of ⁵D₄→⁷ F₅ and ⁵D₃→⁷ F₅ emission with different Tb³⁺ concentrations were also measured. Cross-relaxation process is discussed based on the decay curves.     

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     

Influence of magnetic ordering on electronic structure of Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ion in TbFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal

Optical absorption spectra of trigonal crystal TbFe₃(BO₃)₄ have been studied in the region of ⁷F₆ → ⁵D₄ transition in Tb³⁺ ion depending on temperature (2–220 K) and on magnetic field (0–60 kOe). Splitting of the Tb³⁺ excited states, both under the influence of the external magnetic field and effective exchange field of the Fe-sublattice, have been determined. Landé factors of the excited states have been found. Stepwise splitting of one of the absorption lines has been discovered in the region of the Fe-sublattice magnetic ordering temperature. This is shown to be due to the abrupt change of equilibrium geometry of the local Tb³⁺ ion environment only in the excited state of the Tb³⁺ ion. In general, the magnetic ordering is accompanied by temperature variations of the Tb³⁺ local environment in the excited states. The crystal field splitting components have been identified. In particular, it has been shown that the ground state (in D ₃ symmetry approximation) consists of two close singlet states of A ₁ and A ₂ type, which are split and magnetized by effective exchange field of the Fe-sublattice. Orientations of magnetic moments of the excited electronic states relative to that of the ground state have been experimentally determined in the magnetically ordered state of the crystal. A pronounced shift of one of absorption lines has been observed in the vicinity of the TbFe₃(BO₃)₄ structural phase transition. The temperature interval of coexistence of the phases is about 3 K.