Growth, polarized Raman and fluorescence properties of TbCa4O(BO3)3 single crystal

A single crystal of TbCa4O(BO3)(3)(TbCOB) with diameter of 35 mm and length of 80 mm has been successfully grown using the Czochralski (Cz) method. The polarized Raman spectra were studied to analyze the vibrational structure of TbCOB, especially the modes from [BO3](3-) triangles that are responsible for the nonlinear optical generation. The fluorescence properties of the X-cut, Y-cut, and Z-cut non-centrosymmetric TbCOB crystals were measured for the first time, and both f-d and f-f transitions were identified according to the energy level diagram. Based on the non-radiative energy transfer process, TbCOB crystal shows the characteristic emission of Tb3+ corresponding to D-5(4) -> F-7(6,5,4,3) transitions with the green light of 542 nm (D-5(4) -> F-7(5)) being the most prominent group. Additionally, the lifetime decay indicates single exponential character for the excited wavelength at 378 nm, following the result of tau = 2.07 ms at room temperature. The long fluorescence lifetime and good spectra properties of TbCOB single crystal indicate its potential optical prospects. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.