Growth, structure, and spectroscopic properties of a Tm3+, Ho3+ co-doped Lu2O3 crystal for ~2.1 [formula omitted] lasers

Abstract

The Tm,Ho:Lu2O3 crystal was grown by the optical floating zone method for the first time. The XRD pattern shows that it belongs to the cubic crystal system (Ia‾3 space group). The absorption cross-section at 796 nm is 4.21×10−21 cm2, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) is 54 nm. The emission cross-section at 2092 nm is approximately 0.20×10−20cm2. The broad fluorescence band extends to 2200 nm where almost no absorption was found. The fluoresce lifetime at 2092 nm is 3.73 ms. With the help of up-conversion spectra, the energy transfer mechanism between Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions was investigated systematically. The potential utility of the Tm,Ho:Lu2O3 crystal as tunable and ultra-short laser media at ~2.1 μm can be expected.