Spectroscopic analysis of Cr,Er:Gd3Ga5O12 crystals as candidates of potential xenon lamp pumped ∼2.7 μm laser

A series of Cr,Er:Gd3Ga5O12 crystals with high concentrations of Er3+ were grown by Czochralski method. The absorption spectra, the up-conversion, near infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (Mid-IR) luminescence spectra as well as the luminescence decay curves of Er: I-4(13/2) and I-4(11/2) levels were measured at room temperature. The spectroscopic properties of Cr,Er:Gd3Ga5O12 crystals and Cr-Er energy transfer processes were investigated. The spectroscopy of the Er3+:I-4(11/2)-> I-4(13/2) transition was centralized to discuss, and the important optical parameters including luminescence lifetimes and the Cr-Er energy transfer efficiency are presented. Based on the comprehensive spectral analyses, 0.6 at.%Cr/50 at.%Er:GGG crystal is preferred as candidate of potential xenon lamp pumped similar to 2.7 mu m laser in this work. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.