Selective laser spectroscopy of the bixbyite-type yttrium scandate doped by rare-earth ions

Abstract

Yttrium scandate crystals doped by Nd3+ and Tm3+ ions have been obtained in the form of a fiber through the laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) method. Three types of optical centers of Nd3+ and Tm3+ have been recorded by the selective laser spectroscopy methods. Two dominant centers form due to substitution of the rare-earth ions for Y3+ and Sc3+ in the structural site of C2. In the case of Nd3+:YScO3, the third one is aggregate pair center Nd3+ - Nd3+ which forms due to substitution of basic ions (Y3+ or Sc3+) in neighboring MO6 polyhedra shared the edge. In the case of Tm3+:YScO3, the third optical center form due to substitution of Tm3+ for Y3+ or Sc3+ in the octahedra MO6 with symmetry site of C3i. The lifetime have been estimated for Nd3+ and Tm3+ ions occupied MO6 polyhedra with symmetry sites of C2 and C3i in the YScO3 crystal fibers. Stark level schematic of 2F3/2, 4I11/2, and 4I9/2 multiplets of Nd3+ ions have been built for both centers of C2 in the YScO3 crystal fiber