Spectroscopic characterisation of LaAlO3 crystal doped with Er3+ ions

Optical properties of a LaAlO3 single crystal doped with erbium were examined. The crystal was grown by the Czochralski method; absorption and emission spectra were measured at room and at low temperature. Decay times of main luminescence transitions were measured at 297 and 10 K. Judd-Ofelt analysis was applied to calculate the oscillator strengths, radiative transitions and branching ratios. The values of the omega parameters are: Omega(2) = 0.962, Omega(4) = 0.652, Omega(6) = 0.352 (all Omega(t) values are in 10(-20) cm(2)). RMS deviation was found to be 16.5 x 10(-8). Emission cross-sections of the I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) and S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) were calculated. The gain of the possible I-4(13/2) -> I-4(1/2) stimulated emission was determined. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.