Impact of codopant ions on 2.5–3.0 µm emission of Er3+:4I11/2→4I13/2 transition in Yb,Er,Eu:LaYSGG crystal.

The crystal of 1 at% Yb 3+ , 10 at% Er 3+ and 0.1 at% Eu 3+ triply doped La 0.3 Y 2.7 Sc 2 Ga 3 O 12 (abbr. as Yb,Er,Eu:LaYSGG) was grown for the first time by using a Czochralski technique. Its absorption, near-infrared and mid-infrared fluorescence spectra, as well as the fluorescence decay curves of Er: 4 I 13/2 and 4 I 11/2 levels were measured at room temperature. The spectroscopic properties including the absorption and emission cross-sections as well as the fluorescence lifetimes of the title crystal were revealed and compared with 10 at% Er 3+ :Y 3 Sc 2 Ga 3 O 12 crystal. Spectral analyses show that the sensitization of Yb 3+ ion leads to an enhanced 2.5–3.0 µm emission corresponding to Er 3+ : 4 I 11/2 → 4 I 13/2 transition in the grown crystal, meanwhile, the depopulation of Eu 3+ ion from Er 3+ inhibits the self-termination effect successfully. The energy transfer mechanism was discussed; the energy transfer efficiencies of Yb 3+ →Er 3+ (ET1) and Er 3+ →Eu 3+ (ET2) were estimated to be 94.8% and 93.9%, respectively. The results indicates that Yb,Er,Eu:LaYSGG crystal is a good candidate for LD pumped mid-infrared laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]