Polarized spectral properties of Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal for visible laser application

• Published in: Optical materials 2014-11, Vol.37, p.229-234
• Main Authors: Wang, G.Q., Gong, X.H., Lin, Y.F., Chen, Y.J., Huang, J.H., Luo, Z.D., Huang, Y.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Laser materials; Lasers; Optical materials; Optics; Physics; Polarized spectral property; Semiconductor lasers; laser diodes; Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal; Visible laser application
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2014.05.033

•Polarized spectral properties of Sm3+:LiLuF4 at room temperature were analyzed.•Emission cross sections for the transitions of special interest for visible laser application were calculated.•Sm3+:LiLuF4 is a promising laser material at 605nm pumped by 401nm LD. A Sm3+-doped LiLuF4 single crystal was grown by the vertical Bridgman–Stockbarge technique. Polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence lifetime of the Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal were recorded at room temperature. Based on the Judd–Ofelt theory, spectral parameters of the Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal were calculated. Emission cross sections for the 4G5/2→6HJ (J=5/2, 7/2, 9/2, and 11/2) transitions with special interest for visible laser application were obtained by the Füchtbauer–Ladenburg formula. The results indicate that the Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal may be a potential laser gain medium operating in visible region pumped by diode lasers around 401nm.