Evaluation of spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal for use in mid-infrared lasers

Abstract

Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal was firstly grown by Czochralski method. Detailed spectroscopic analyses of Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 were carried out. Besides better absorption characteristic, the spectra of Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 show weaker up-conversion and near-infrared emissions as well as superior mid-infrared emission in comparison to Er3+: SrGdGa3O7 and Er3+/Yb3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystals. Furthermore, the self-termination effect for Er3+ 2.7 μm laser is suppressed successfully because the fluorescence lifetime of the 4I13/2 lower level of Er3+ decreases markedly while that of the upper 4I11/2 level changes slightly in Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal. The sensitization effect of Yb3+ and deactivation effect of Pr3+ ions as well as the energy transfer mechanism in Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal were also studied in this work. The introduction of Yb3+ and Pr3+ is favorable for achieving an enhanced 2.7 μm emission in Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal which can act as a promising candidate for mid-infrared lasers.

Optical and Judd‐Ofelt spectroscopic study of Er3+‐doped strontium gadolinium gallium garnet single‐crystal

“…Strontium gadolinium gallium garnet (SrGdGa 3 O 7 ) single‐crystal displays some interesting properties, such as lower cut‐off phonon energy (~680 cm −1 ), higher heat conductivity, stronger mechanical strength, excellent piezoelectric property and ease to attain a large‐size single‐crystal with good optical quality. The crystal is an excellent laser host material because of following merits.…”

Highly efficient dual-wavelength mid-infrared CW Laser in diode end-pumped Er:SrF2 single crystals

“…On the contrary, the decay curves of the Er 3+ : 4 I 13/2 level showed multi-exponential behavior, which confirmed that the lower laser level was greatly affected by the quench effect and energy transfer processes. Multi-exponential decay curves could be fitted with equation 22930:…”

Controllable Synthesis of Monodisperse Er3+-Doped Lanthanide Oxyfluorides Nanocrystals with Intense Mid-Infrared Emission

“…Among them, the 2.7 μm mid-infrared emission of erbium ions (Er 3+ ) has recently gained considerable attention due to its potential application in various areas, such as laser microsurgery, remote sensing, military counter-measures and environmental monitoring12345. So far, Er 3+ ions fluorescence at 2.7 μm, arising from 4 I 11/2 to 4 I 13/2 transition, has been realized in various glasses678910, glass ceramics1112 and single-crystals13141516. Moreover, the mid-infrared micro/nanocrystal-glass composites have been proposed to fabricate composite optical fiber for the realization of mid-infrared fiber lasers.…”

“…In addition, higher phonon energy is favorable to the rate of nonradiative transitions, causing a detrimental effect on the upper-level to lower-level lifetime. On the other hand, a main factor affecting Er 3+ :2.7 μm fluorescence is the absorption of H 2 O around 3 μm, which corresponds to the stretching vibration of free OH − groups and will quench the Er 3+ :2.7 μm fluorescence71114151617. Therefore, in order to achieve efficient and intense 2.7 μm emission of Er 3+ ions in the micro/nanocrystals for transparent glass composites, many stringent requirements regarding their host materials have been proposed.…”

“…Therefore, in order to achieve efficient and intense 2.7 μm emission of Er 3+ ions in the micro/nanocrystals for transparent glass composites, many stringent requirements regarding their host materials have been proposed. These requirements include low phonon energy, good thermal and chemical stability and the matched refractive index71114151617. In addition, suitable size and morphology of Er 3+ doped micro/nanocrystals are also important18.…”