Effect of air annealing on the spectral properties of Ce : Y3Al5O12 single crystals grown by the temperature gradient technique

Five absorption hands, at 227, 300 340, 370 and 457nm, were observed in the optical absorption spectrum of Ce:Y3Al5O12 (Ce:YAG) crystals grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT). The absorption bands at 227, 340, and 457 nm were identified Lis belonging to the Ce3+ -ion in the YAG crystal. A near UV optical emission band at 398nm was observed. with an excitation spectrum containing two bands, at 235 and 370nm. No fluorescence was detected under 300 nm excitation. The pair of absorption bands at 235 and 370 nm and the absorption band at 300 nm were attributed to the F- and F+-type color centers, respectively. The color centers model was also applied to explain the spectral changes in the Ce:YAG (TGT) crystal, including the reduction in the Ce 31 -ion absorption intensity, after annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere (air). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermal, spectroscopic and laser properties of Yb3+Na+: CaF2 single crystals

The effects of Na+ doping level on the thermal conductivities, absorption and emission spectra, and fluorescence lifetimes of Yb3+ ,Na+ :CaF2 crystals were systematically studied. Sites structure, covalent force, and crystal field strength of Yb3+ :CaF2 crystals were markedly varied by codoping Na+ as charge compensator. The 2.0at% Yb3+ and 3.0at% Na+-codoped CaF2 crystal was demonstrated to operate in diode-pumped passively mode-locking scheme. Transform-limited 1 ps laser pulses were obtained, showing the crystal capable of producing ultra-short laser pulses. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic properties of Nd3+-doped high silica glass prepared by sintering porous glass

A new kind of Nd3+, -doped high silica glass (SiO2 > 96% (mass fraction)) was obtained by sintering porous glass impregnated with Nd3+, ions. The absorption and luminescence properties of high silica glass doped with different Nd3+, concentrations were studied. The intensity parameters Omega(t) (t = 2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probability, fluorescence lifetime, radiative quantum efficiency, fluorescence branching ratio, and stimulated emission cross section were calculated using the Judd-Ofelt theory. The optimal Nd3+ concentration in high silica glass was 0.27% (mole fraction) because of its high quantum efficiency and emission intensity. By comparing the spectroscopic parameters with other Nd3+ doped oxide glasses and commercial silicate glasses, the Nd3+-doped high silica glasses are likely to be a promising material used for high power and high repetition rate lasers.

Study on growth and properties of novel gamma-LiAlO2 substrate

Transparent gamma-LiAlO2 single crystal has been grown by Temperature Gradient technique. The surface of the wafer annealed in O-2-atmosphere at 1100 degrees C for 70 h became opaque and Li-poor phase (LiAl5O8); while, that annealed in Li-rich atmosphere kept transparent and smooth. The full-width at half maximum value dropped to 30 arcsecs when the wafer was annealed in Li-rich atmosphere. That annealed in O-2-atmosphere increased to 78 arcsec. Compared with absorption spectra, we can conclude that the 196 nm absorption peak was caused by Li vacancies and the 736 nm peak was caused by O vacancies.

Spectral properties and charge transfer luminescence of Yb3+ : Gd3Ga5O12 (Yb : GGG) crystal

The Yb (10%):GGG and Yb (30%): GGG crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method. The chemical compositions are: Yb1.07Gd1.74Ga5.19O12 and Yb0.33Gd1.47Ga5.2O12. The absorption and emission spectra of Yb:GGG crystal at room temperature have been measured. The spectroscopic parameters of Yb:GGG and Yb:YAG have been compared. Optical absorption spectra of Yb:GGG show 4f-4f transitions related to Gd3+ ion around 300 nm, and also an onset of charge transfer (CT) transitions from oxygen ligands to Gd3+ or Yb3+ cations below 240nm. The CT absorption of Yb3+ is largely overlapped by that of Gd3+ ions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sites structure and spectroscopic properties of Yb-doped and Yb, Na-codoped CaF2 laser crystals

For the first time, the effect of Na+ on crystal structure, valence state of Yb ions, spectroscopic properties of YbF3-doped CaF2 system was systematically studied. Na+ can greatly suppress the deoxidization of Yb3+ to Yb2+. Absorption and emission spectra showed codoping Na+ with different Na:Yb ratios can modulate the spectroscopy and photoluminescence properties of Yb3+ ions in CaF2 lattice in a large scope. The emission lifetime and quantum efficiency of Yb3+ in CaF2 were greatly enhanced by the codopant of Na+. The potential laser performances of the new Yb, Na-codoped CaF2 crystals were predicted. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of gamma-irradiation on spectral properties of undoped Y2SiO5 crystals

The absorption spectra of undoped Y2SiO5 crystals were studied before and after gamma-irradiation. After gamma-irradiation, the additional absorption peaks at 260-270 and 320nm were observed in as-grown and H,annealed Y2SiO5 crystal, but it did not occur in air-annealed Y2SiO5 crystal. These absorption peaks were attributed to F color centers and O- hole centers, respectively. Owing to more oxygen vacancies and color centers in H-2-annealed Y2SiO5 crystal than that in as-grown Y2SiO5 crystal after gamma-irradiation, the additional absorption peaks were more intense in the former than that in the latter. With the irradiation dose increasing from 20 to 220kGy, the intensity of additional absorption peaks increased.

Preparation and optical properties of silicate glasses containing Pd nanoparticles

We report the space selective precipitation of Pd nanoparticles in Pd2+ -doped silicate glass by ultrashort laser pulses irradiation and further annealing. Absorption spectra, transmission electron microscopy, refractive index measurement and Z-scan technique demonstrated that metallic Pd nanoparticles were precipitated in the glass sample after irradiation by an 800-nm femtosecond laser and subsequent annealing at 600 degrees C. We discuss a refractive index change and nonlinear absorption that combines the precipitation of Pd nanoparticles. Crown Copyright (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectral properties of Ho : GdVO4 single crystal

Absorption and emission spectral properties of GdVO4 single crystal doped with Ho3+ ions were investigated at room temperature. Polarized absorption cross section is calculated in the range of 400-2200nm. Results were analyzed and parameters were calculated based on Judd-Ofelt theory, the emission spectrum shows that the emission intensity around the wavelength of 546 nm associated with transition S-5(2) -> I-5(8) is much stronger than other bands in the observed range and potentially enable the green light output around this emission band in this crystal. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic properties of Ce : YAP scintillation crystal grown by temperature gradient technique

Spectroscopic properties of Ce-doped yttrium orthoaluminate (Ce:YAlO3 or Ce:YAP) crystals grown by temperature gradient technique (TGT) were investigated, and the effects of the growth conditions on the properties were analyzed.. Methods of optical absorption (OA), photoluminescence (PL), photoluminescence decay (PLD), X-ray excited luminescence (XL) and cathodeluminescence (CL) were used in these investigations. The results showed that the absorption band peak at 202, 394 and 532 nm originated from F and F+ color center induced by the weak reducing growth atmosphere, green emission band near 500 ran derived from Ce3+ -Ce3+ pairs and band at 650 similar to 850 run from some unintentional impurity in crystals.

Investigation of the spectroscopic properties of Yb3+-doped yttrium lanthanum oxide transparent ceramic

Spectroscopic properties of (Y0.9-xLa0.1Ybx)(2)O-3 transparent ceramic were studied. Two main absorption peaks of the specimen are centered at 940 and 970 nm, which are suitable for InGaAs laser diode pumping. The main emission peaks were located at 1032 and 1075 nm with larger emission cross-section and longer fluorescence lifetime than those of Yb:Y2O3. These properties of (Y0.9-xLa0.1Ybx)(2)O-3 transparent ceramic are favorable to achieve high efficiency and high power laser output. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Growth and spectral properties of Yb : FAP single crystal

In this paper, single crystal of ytterbium (Yb) doped Ca-5(PO4)(3)F (FAP) has been grown along the c-axis by using the Czochralski method. The segregation coefficients of Yb3+ in the Yb:FAP crystal has been determined by ICP-AES method. The absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence lifetime of the Yb:FAP crystal has been also measured at room temperature. In the absorption spectra, there are two absorption bands at 904 and 982 nm, respectively, which are suitable for InGaAs diode laser pumping. The absorption cross-section (sigma(abs)) is 5.117 x 10(-20) cm(2) with an FWHM of 4 nm at 982 nm. The emission cross-section is (sigma(em)) 3.678 x 10(-20) cm(2) at 1042 nm. Favorable values of the absorption cross-section at about 982 nm are promising candidates for laser diode (LD) pumping. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Growth of high quality Cr, Yb codoped gadolinium gallium garnet (Gd3Ga5O12) crystal and its spectral properties

The Cr(0.1%),Yb(10%):GGG crystals have been grown by the Czochralski method. The chemical composition is: Yb0.33Gd2.47Cr0.005Ga5.2O12. There are no observed Yb3+ ions substituting Ga3+ ions, just like that of Yb:GGG crystals. The defects in Cr,Yb:GGG crystal were also investigated. The absorption and emission spectra of Cr,Yb:GGG crystal at room temperature have been measured. The 02 and H-2 annealing effect of Cr,Yb:GGG crystal have been compared. Cr3+ can greatly weak the visible luminescence of this crystal. The Cr-Yb-codoped crystals may be potential materials for compact, efficient, high stability LD pumped solid state lasers. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic properties of Nd3+:(La,Sr)(Al,Ta)O-3 crystal

A new laser crystal Nd3+:(La, Sr)(Al, Ta)O-3 (abbreviated as Nd3+:LSAT) has been grown by the conventional Czochralski method. The absorption and luminescence spectra of trivalent neodymium in Nd3+:LSAT crystal were measured at room temperature. The value of absorption and emission cross-section was calculated. The Judd-Ofelt analysis was applied to the crystal to get the phenomenological parameters (Omega(i), i = 2,4,6), the line strengths, the radiative transition rates, the branching ratios and the radiative lifetime. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Single crystal beta-Ga2O3: Cr grown by floating zone technique and its optical properties

beta-Ga2O3: Cr single crystals were grown by floating zone technique. Absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra were measured at room temperature. The values of field splitting parameter Dq and Racah parameter B were obtained by the peak values of absorption spectra. The value 10Dq/B=23.14 manifests that in beta-Ga2O3 crystals Cr3+ ions are influenced by low energy crystal field. After high temperature annealing in air, the Cr3+ intrinsic emission was enhanced and the green luminescence disappeared. The strong and broad 691 nm emission was obtained at 420 nm excitation due to the electron transition occurred from T-4(2) to (4)A(2). The studies manifest that the beta-Ga2O3 crystals have the potential application for tunable laser.