Spectroscopic investigation of Er3+-doped (Gd0.7Y0.3)2SiO5 single crystal for potential application in 1.5 μm laser

The Er3+:(Gd0.7Y0.3)(2)SiO5 (hereafter abbreviated as Er3+:G(0.7)Y(0.3)SO) single crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique. The unpolarized absorption spectrum and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were measured at room temperature. The Judd-Ofelt phenomenological method was used to estimate the intensity parameters, radiative lifetimes and branching ratios of luminescence. The stimulated emission cross-section of the I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) transition of special interest of similar to 1.5 mu m laser was calculated by the Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg equation, and the relevant gain cross-sections were also estimated for several inverse-population parameters to evaluate a potential laser activity of the Er3+:G(0.7)Y(0.3)SO system. Also, the potential range of the optical pumping was assessed based on the absorption cross-section at room temperature. Finally the excited state dynamics of the Er3+:G(0.7)Y(0.3)SO system was investigated and experimental lifetimes of I-4(13/2) and I-4(11/2) levels were measured. Taking into account the satisfactory absorption near 971 and 1529 nm, and the high gain cross-section in the range of 1530-1620 nm, the Er3+:G(0.7)Y(0.3)SO crystal can be considered as a promising active material for laser operation near 1.5 mu m. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.