Sensitization and deactivation effects to Er^sup 3+^ at ~2.7?µm mid-infrared emission by Nd^sup 3+^ ions in Gd^sub 0.1^Y^sub 0.9^AlO^sub 3^ crystal

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 750; p. 147
• Main Authors: Zhang, Peixiong, Wang, Rui, Huang, Xingbin, Li, Zhen, Yin, Hao, Zhu, Siqi, Chen, Zhenqiang, Hang, Yin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier BV 25.06.2018
• Subjects: Commercialization; Crystal structure; Crystals; Deactivation; Emission analysis; Emissions; Fluorescence; Gadolinium; Lasers; Semiconductor lasers; Sensitizing; Solid state lasers; Solid state physics; Trace elements
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669

The use of Nd3+ codoping for sensitizing the Er3+ ion and enhancing the 2.7 μm emission from transition of Er3+:4I11/2 → 4I13/2 were investigated in the Er/Nd codoped Gd0.1Y0.9AlO3 (GYAP) crystal for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The ~2.7 μm emission characteristics and the energy transfer mechanism of the as-grown crystals were investigated in details. On one hand, it is found that the codoped of Nd3+ ion can act as an appropriate sensitizer for Er3+ ion in GYAP crystal, making the Er/Nd:GYAP crystal can be pumped by commercialized 808 nm laser diodes (LD). On the other hand, the Nd3+ ions can also act as a suitable deactivated ion for Er3+ ions with efficient depopulation effect on the lower laser level Er3+:4I13/2 for enhancing the ~2.7 μm fluorescence emission, while having little influence on the upper laser level of Er3+:4I11/2. With these favorable properties, the Er/Nd:GYAP crystal may become an attractive host for developing solid state lasers at around 2.7 μm under a conventional 808 nm LD pump.