Relaxation of excited states of Tm3+ and Tm3+-Eu3+ energy transfer in YVO4 crystal

Tm³⁺-Eu³⁺ energy transfer processes and relaxation dynamics of the ³ H ₄ and ³ F ₄ excited states of Tm³⁺ ions in 1 at. % Tm³⁺, 5 at. % Eu³⁺:YVO₄ single crystal were studied. Contribution of Tm³⁺-Eu³⁺ energy transfer reduces effectively the lifetime of terminal level in a potential ³ H ₄–³ F ₄ laser transition at around 1.48 μm. Adverse quenching of the ³ H ₄ emission by Eu³⁺ ions is found to be less efficient than that reported for Tm³⁺ + Tb³⁺ system in YVO₄. The classical Inokuti–Hirayama model accounts well for an experimental decay curve of the ³ H ₄ emission recorded for co-doped crystal. Stimulated emission cross section for ³ H ₄–³ F ₄ transition of Tm³⁺ at around 1.48 μm was analyzed taking into account the anisotropy of YVO₄ crystal. PACS 42.55.Xi; 42.62.Fi