A comparative study on diode-pumped continuous wave Tm:Ho:YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Tm:Ho:GdVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> lasers

In this paper, we presented experimental results concerning on the laser characteristics of two microchip lasers emitting in the 2 μm range, Tm:Ho:YVO₄ microchip laser and Tm:Ho:GdVO₄ microchip laser. At a heat sink temperature of 283 K, the maximum output power of Tm:Ho:YVO₄ laser and Tm:Ho:GdVO₄ laser is 47 and 34 mW under absorbed pump power of 912 mW, respectively. High efficiency can be achieved for both lasers at room temperature. Nevertheless, compared with Tm:Ho:GdVO₄ laser, Tm:Ho:YVO₄ laser can operate on single frequency with high power easily. At the heat sink temperature of 288 K, as much as 16.5 mW of 2052.3 nm single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) laser was achieved for Tm:Ho:YVO₄ laser. Under the same condition, only 8 mW of 2048.5 nm SLM laser was achieved for Tm:Ho:GdVO₄ laser.     

Raman spectroscopic study of structural disordering in YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>, GdVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and CaWO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

The Raman spectra of single-crystal YVO₄, GdVO₄, and ZrSiO₄ with a zircon structure, as well as CaWO₄ and BaWO₄ with a scheelite structure, are studied in detail over a wide temperature range 14–800 K. An inhomogeneous splitting of the A _1g (ν₂) vibrational lines in the Raman spectra of YVO₄ and GdVO₄ and the A _g (ν₁) vibrational lines in the spectrum of CaWO₄ is detected. It is shown that the profiles of these lines can be decomposed into two components, whose integrated intensities are redistributed with temperature and also depend on the matrix kind in which they are detected. The phenomenon observed is associated with the thermally activated processes of disorientation of the tetrahedral anions in the zircon and scheelite structures.     

Growth and spectral and luminescent properties of a new Cr<Superscript>4+</Superscript>:LiAlGeO<Subscript>4</Subscript> nonlinear crystal

Single crystals of a new promising laser material, Cr⁴⁺-doped germanium eucryptite Cr⁴⁺:LiAlGeO₄, are grown from the melt for the first time. The crystals grown exhibit nonlinear optical properties. Absorption and luminescence spectra of the crystals and their luminescence decay are studied at various temperatures. The luminescence lifetime at 1.2 μ m at 300 K is 10 μ s. Active centers in the crystal are identified, and crystal field parameters are estimated.     

Radiation Resistance of Yb:LaSc<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript> and Yb:LuYSiO<Subscript>5</Subscript> Laser Crystals

The optical transmission (OT) spectra of Yb:LaSc₃(BO₃)₄ and Yb:LuYSiO₅ laser crystals have been analyzed before and after irradiation from a ⁶⁰Co source with doses up to 45 Mrad. The OT spectra of the Yb:LuYSiO₅ crystal are found to be the same (within the measurement error) before and after irradiation. The irradiation of the 10 at.%Yb:LaSc₃(BO₃)₄ crystal significantly changes its OT spectra in a wide spectral range (330 to 700 nm). A 975-nm laser based on a previously irradiated 4 at.%Yb:LuYSiO₅ crystal has exhibited a differential efficiency of 23% under diode pumping. The up-conversion luminescence spectra in the visible range of the crystals under study have been explained.     

Luminescence characteristics of the Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ion in SrB<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> and SrB<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>10</Subscript>

Spectral and kinetic characteristics of the luminescence and luminescence excitation spectra of polycrystalline SrB₄O₇:Pr (1%) and SrB₆O₁₀:Pr (1%) samples are studied at 150–170 K. The samples show an intense luminescence band in the vicinity of 405 nm (¹ S ₀→¹ I ₆ transitions of Pr³⁺) and shorter wavelength bands also assigned to transitions from the ¹ S ₀ level. The main luminescence decay constant is ～2×10^?7 s. The excitation spectra of the ¹ S ₀ luminescence in these crystals are significantly different. The SrB₄O₇:Pr crystal shows three well-resolved bands at 6.14, 6.55, and 6.91 eV in the region of the 4f ²→4f ¹5d transitions and a complex structure in the region of interband transitions (7.1–20 eV), whereas the SrB₆O₁₀:Pr crystal shows a weakly structured band at 6.31 eV and no excitation in the region of the interband transitions. The physical mechanisms that may be responsible for the observed features of the spectra are discussed.     

Luminescence and thermally stimulated recombination processes in Li<Subscript>6</Subscript>Gd(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> crystals

The luminescence and thermally stimulated recombination processes in lithium borate crystals Li₆Gd(BO₃)₃ and Li₆Gd(BO₃)₃:Ce have been studied. The steady-state luminescence spectra under X-ray excitation (X-ray luminescence), temperature dependences of the intensity of steady-state X-ray luminescence (XL), and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) spectra of these compounds have been investigated in the temperature range of 90–500 K. The intrinsic-luminescence 312-nm band, which is due to the ⁶ P _J → ⁸ S _7/2 transitions in Gd³⁺ matrix ions, dominates in the X-ray luminescence spectra of these crystals; in addition, there is a wide complex band at 400–420 nm, which is due to the d → f transitions in Ce³⁺ impurity ions. It is found that the steady-state XL intensity in these bands increases several times upon heating from 100 to 400 K. The possible mechanisms of the observed temperature dependence of the steady-state XL intensity and their correlation with the features of electronic-excitation energy transfer in these crystals are discussed. The main complex TSL peak at 110–160 K and a number of minor peaks, whose composition and structure depend on the crystal type, have been found in all crystals studied. The nature of the shallow traps that are responsible for TSL at temperatures below room temperature and their relation with defects in the lithium cation sublattice are discussed.     

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.     

Luminescence properties of transparent ceramics Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>:Yb

We present the results of studying the luminescence properties of transparent ceramics Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Yb obtained by the vacuum sintering and nanocrystalline technology. In the course of research, we measured the luminescence and luminescence excitation spectra, as well as the temperature and kinetic behavior of luminescence. Our results are analyzed in comparison with the characteristics of corresponding single crystals. We revealed that processes of generation and relaxation of electronic excitations that occur in ceramics, in particular, in the charge transfer state, are similar to processes occurring in crystals. The behavior of two charge-transfer luminescence bands at 340 and 490 nm is studied. In the range 300–600 nm, we revealed a broad emission band of radiation of other type, which is also observed in spectra of undoped ceramics. This broad band is attributed to F⁺ centers. Emission and excitation spectra of charge transfer luminescence at a maximum of the temperature dependence of 100 K are measured for the first time. We found that, upon excitation in the charge transfer band, luminescence in ceramics is more intense than in single crystals with similar concentrations of Yb and has a higher quenching temperature.     

Spectroscopic study of erbium-activated crystals of double calcium yttrium fluoride Ca<Subscript>0.89</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.11</Subscript>F<Subscript>2.11</Subscript>:Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>: I. Intensity of spectra and luminescence kinetics

Ca_0.89Y_0.11F_2.11:Er³⁺ (CYF:Er) crystals with an erbium content of 1–15 at % have been grown. The optical spectra and luminescence kinetics of CYF:Er crystals have been investigated at low (～5 K) and room temperatures. Based on an analysis of the absorption spectra at low temperature, the structure of Stark splitting of erbium levels in CYF:Er crystals is determined. Room-temperature absorption spectra are used to calculate the spectra of absorption cross sections and oscillator strengths of transitions from the erbium ground state to excited multiplets. It is shown that the absorption spectrum of CYF:Er crystals contains broad bands in the ranges of 790–815 and 965–980 nm, which correspond to the range of emission of laser diodes. For the band peaking near 967 nm, the peak absorption cross section is σ _abs ^max = 2.7 × 10^?21 cm². The intensity parameters are determined by the Judd-Ofelt method to be Ω₂ = 1.39 × 10^?20, Ω₄ = 1.34 × 10^?20, and Ω₆ = 2.24 × 10^?20 cm². The radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios are calculated with these values. The luminescence decay kinetics from excited erbium levels upon selective excitation is investigated and the experimental lifetimes of the 4F _9/2, ⁴ S _3/2, and ⁴ G _11/2 radiative erbium levels are determined. The dependences of multiphonon relaxation rates on the energy gap in CYF:Er crystals are obtained. The rates of nonradiative multiphonon relaxation from radiative erbium levels are determined.     

Improved photoluminescence of pulsed-laser-ablated Y<Subscript>1-x</Subscript>Gd<Subscript>x</Subscript>VO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> thin film phosphors by Gd substitution

Gd-substituted Y_1-xGd_xVO₄:Eu³⁺ luminescent thin films have been grown on Al₂O₃(0001) substrates using pulsed-laser deposition. The films grown under different deposition conditions have been characterized using microstructural and luminescent measurements. The crystallinity, surface morphology, and photoluminescence (PL) of the films are highly dependent on the amount of Gd. The photoluminescence (PL) brightness data obtained from Y_1-xGd_xVO₄:Eu³⁺ films grown under optimized conditions have indicated that the PL brightness is more dependent on the surface roughness than the crystallinity of the films. In particular, the incorporation of Gd into the YVO₄ lattice could induce a remarkable increase of PL. The highest emission intensity was observed with Y_0.57Gd_0.40Eu_0.03VO₄ thin film whose brightness was increased by a factor of 2.5 and 1.9 in comparison with that of YVO₄:Eu³⁺ and GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ films, respectively. This phosphor have application to flat panel displays. PACS 78.20.-e; 78.55.-m; 78.66.-w     

Electronic excitations in BeAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>, Be<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>4</Subscript>, and Be<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>18</Subscript> crystals

Low-temperature (T = 7 K) time-resolved selectively photoexcited luminescence spectra (2–6 eV) and luminescence excitation spectra (8–35 eV) of wide-bandgap chrysoberyl BeAl₂O₄, phenacite Be₂SiO₄, and beryl Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ crystals have been studied using time-resolved VUV spectroscopy. Both the intrinsic luminescence of the crystals and the luminescence associated with structural defects were assigned. Energy transfer to impurity luminescence centers in alexandrite and emerald was investigated. Luminescence characteristics of stable crystal lattice defects were probed by 3.6-MeV accelerated helium ion beams.     

Comparison of <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>-Nd:YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript> raman lasers and <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>-Nd:YVO<Superscript>4</Superscript> self-Raman lasers

Raman lasers based on c-Nd:YVO₄ crystals can generate 1178 nm Stokes line, which can be frequency-doubled to realize 589 nm sodium lasers. We make comparative experimental studies of c-Nd:YVO₄/YVO₄ Raman lasers and c-Nd:YVO₄ self-Raman lasers. About these two kinds of lasers, the output characteristics of power, center wavelength and beam quality are measured and compared.     

Cooperative down-conversion of UV light in disordered scheelitelike Yb-doped NaGd(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> and NaLa(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystals

Concentration series of disordered scheelitelike Yb:NaGd(MoO₄)₂ and Yb:NaLa(MoO₄)₂ single crystals are grown by the Czochralski method. The actual concentrations of Yb³⁺ ions in the crystals are determined by optical-absorption spectroscopy. The luminescence of Yb³⁺ ions in these crystals in the region of 1 μm is studied under UV and IR excitation. In the case of UV excitation, this luminescence appears as a result of nonradiative excited state energy transfer from donor centers of unknown nature to ytterbium. The character of the concentration dependence of Yb³⁺ luminescence indicates that the energy transfer at high Yb concentrations occurs with active participation of a cooperative mechanism, according to which the excitation energy of one donor center is transferred simultaneously to two Yb³⁺ ions. In other words, the quantum yield of this transfer exceeds unity, which can be used to increase the efficiency of crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells.     

Spectral properties of a Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Li<Subscript>3</Subscript>Ba<Subscript>2</Subscript>Gd<Subscript>3</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>8</Subscript> crystal

The spectral properties of a promising laser material, ternary molybdate Li₃Ba₂Gd₃(MoO₄)₈:Nd³⁺, are studied (i.e., its optical absorption spectra, luminescence spectra, kinetic of luminescence decay, and temperature dependence of luminescence). Luminescence of the crystalline matrix is detected, and the temperature dependence of its intensity and reabsorption by neodymium are investigated.     

Fabrication,structure, and properties of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@C encapsulated with YVO<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> composites

The use of carbon shells offers many advantages in surface coating or surface modification due to their surface with activated carboxyl and carbonyl groups. In this study, the Fe₃O₄@C@YVO₄:Eu³⁺ composites were prepared through a simple sol–gel process. Reactive carbon interlayer was introduced as a key component, which separates lanthanide-based luminescent component from the magnetite, more importantly, it effectively prevent oxidation of the Fe₃O₄ core during the whole preparation process. The morphology, structure, magnetic, and luminescent properties of the composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, VSM, and photoluminescent spectrophotometer. As a result, the Fe₃O₄@C/YVO₄:Eu³⁺ composites with well-crystallized and core–shell structure were prepared and the YVO₄:Eu³⁺ luminescent layer decorating the Fe₃O₄@C core–shell microspheres are about 10 nm. In addition, the Fe₃O₄@C@YVO₄:Eu³⁺ composites have the excellent magnetic and luminescent properties, which allow them great potential for bioapplications such as magnetic bioseparation, magnetic resonance imaging, and drug/gene delivery.     

Low-temperature time-resolved vacuum UV spectroscopy of NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals

A complex investigation of the dynamics of electronic excitations in nonlinear optical crystals of ammonium dihydrophosphate NH₄H₂PO₄ was performed using low-temperature vacuum UV luminescence spectroscopy with time resolution upon selective photoexcitation by synchrotron radiation. Data on the photoluminescence decay kinetics, time-resolved photoluminescence spectra (2–6.2 eV), and time-resolved photoluminescence excitation spectra (4–24 eV) were obtained for the first time for NH₄H₂PO₄ crystals at 8 K. It is ascertained that the photoluminescence of NH₄H₂PO₄ crystals in the vicinity of 4.7 eV has intrinsic character due to the radiative annihilation of self-trapped excitons. Possible channels of generation and decay of relaxed and unrelaxed electronic excitations in NH₄H₂PO₄ crystals are discussed.     

Spectroscopic study of double sodium-yttrium fluoride crystals doped with erbium Na<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>F<Subscript>2.2</Subscript>:Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>: I. Intensities of luminescence spectra and kinetics of luminescence

Na_0.4Y_0.6F_2.2:Er³⁺ (NYF:Er) crystals with an erbium concentration as high as 100 at. % (Na_0.4Er_0.6F_2.2) were grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method. The optical spectra were investigated at low (6 K) and room temperatures. It is shown that the absorption spectrum of NYF:Er crystals contains wide bands (790–801 and 965–980 nm) corresponding to the emission range of laser diodes. The peak absorption cross section σ_a for the band peaked at λ=970.4 nm is 0.15×10^?20 cm². On the basis of the analysis of the absorption and luminescence spectra at low (6 and 12 K) temperatures, the structure of the Stark splitting of erbium levels was determined as a structure of quasi-centers for which Stark components are inhomogeneously broadened. The oscillator strengths of the transitions from the ground state of erbium to excited multiplets were calculated from the absorption spectra measured at T=300 K, and the intensity parameters Ω_t were determined by the Judd-Ofelt method: Ω₂=1.65×10^?20 cm², Ω₄=0.56× 10^?20 cm², and Ω₆=1.01×10^?20 cm². These values of the intensity parameters were used to calculate the probabilities of radiative transitions and the branching ratios. The rates of multiphonon nonradiative transitions in NYF: Er were estimated. The luminescence decay kinetics for radiative levels of erbium ions upon their selective excitation by nanosecond laser pulses was studied. The intracenter lifetimes of radiative levels of erbium ions were determined from the luminescence kinetics upon selective ion excitation by low-intensity light in a sample with a low erbium concentration (0.5%). It is demonstrated that, with an increase in temperature from 6 to 300 K, luminescence from the ⁴ G _11/2, ² G(H)_9/2, and ⁴ F _9/2 levels is quenched as a result of multiphonon nonradiative transitions. Luminescence from the ⁴ I _9/2 level is quenched only insignificantly with increasing temperature, and no quenching of luminescence from the ⁴ I _11/2 and ⁴ I _13/2 levels is observed. The spectra of steady-state luminescence of NYF:Er(0.5–15%) crystals were investigated upon broadband excitation by UV and UV-visible lamp light and selective time-resolved laser excitation. It is shown that low-lying levels of erbium ions separated by an energy gap smaller than 2500 cm^?1 are populated via cascade mechanisms. On the basis of the results obtained, it is concluded that NYF:Er ³⁺ crystals are promising candidates for active media of tunable diode-pumped lasers.     

Investigation of luminescence spectra of the Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> and Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>:Ce single-crystal films

The luminescence spectra of single-crystal films and bulk crystals of yttrium-aluminum garnet Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and Ce³⁺-activated Y₃Al₅O₁₂ were investigated. It was shown that the room-temperature luminescence intensity of the Ce³⁺-free single-crystal Y₃Al₅O₁₂ film was considerably lower than that of the bulk crystals, while the luminescence intensity of the Ce³⁺ ions in the Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce films was considerably higher than that one for the corresponding bulk crystal.     

Thermally stimulated recombination processes and luminescence in Li<Subscript>6</Subscript>(Y,Gd,Eu)(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals

The thermally stimulated recombination processes and luminescence in crystals of the lithium borate family Li₆(Y,Gd,Eu)(BO₃)₃ have been investigated. The steady-state luminescence spectra under X-ray excitation (X-ray luminescence spectra), the temperature dependences of the X-ray luminescence intensity, and the glow curves for the Li₆Gd(BO₃)₃, Li₆Eu(BO₃)₃, Li₆Y_0.5Gd_0.5(BO₃)₃: Eu, and Li₆Gd(BO₃)₃: Eu compounds have been measured in the temperature range 90–500 K. In the X-ray luminescence spectra, the band at 312 nm corresponding to the ⁶ P _J → ⁸ S _7/2 transitions in the Gd³⁺ ion and the group of lines at 580–700 nm due to the ⁵ D ₀ → ⁷ F _J transitions (J = 0–4) in the Eu³⁺ ion are dominant. For undoped crystals, the X-ray luminescence intensity of these bands increases by a factor of 15 with a change in the temperature from 100 to 400 K. The possible mechanisms providing the observed temperature dependence of the intensity and their relation to the specific features of energy transfer of electronic excitations in these crystals have been discussed. It has been revealed that the glow curves for all the crystals under investigation exhibit the main complex peak with the maximum at a temperature of 110–160 K and a number of weaker peaks with the composition and structure dependent on the crystal type. The nature of shallow trapping centers responsible for the thermally stimulated luminescence in the range below room temperature and their relation to defects in the lithium cation sublattice have been analyzed.     

VUV spectroscopy of Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Na<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Lu<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>F<Subscript>2.2</Subscript> single crystals

The short-wave transmission spectrum of Na_0.4Lu_0.6F_2.2 with the visible/ultraviolet transmission edge of 8 eV was studied. Absorption spectra of the 4f—5d transitions of the Ce³⁺ ion in the region of 4–8 eV were studied in Ce³⁺-doped Na_0.4Lu_0.6F_2.2 single crystals. Luminescence spectra in the ultraviolet and visible spectral regions, luminescence decay kinetics and reflection and luminescence excitation spectra in the visible/ultraviolet and ultraviolet regions (4–20 eV) were investigated at helium and room temperatures.