Crystal growth, spectral properties and Judd-Ofelt analysis of Pr: CaF2-YF3 *

The 0.6 at.% Pr3+-doped CaF2-YF3 crystal was successfully grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT). X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the grown crystal still had cubic structure. The absorption spectrum, emission spectrum, Judd-Ofelt analysis and fluorescence decay curve at room temperature were discussed. The fluorescence lifetime of Pr: CaF2-YF3 crystal was 45.46 mu s, and the sigma (em) . tau of P-3(0) -> H-3(6) and P-3(0) -> F-3(2) transitions were calculated to be 80.92 x 10(-20) cm(2) . mu s and 388.7 x 10(-20) cm(2) . mu s, respectively. The FWHMs are 20.1 nm and 6.8 nm, which are higher than those of Pr: LiYF4, Pr: LiLuF4, Pr: LiGdF4 and Pr: BaY2F8 crystals. The results show that the Pr: CaF2-YF3 crystal is expected to achieve 605 nm orange light and 642 nm red light laser operation.