Spectroscopic Properties Of Er3 Research Articles

Effect of Yb3+ concentration on the spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped SiO2-TiO2 nanofiber

Er3+ has been gaining much interest due to the multiple emissions in both infrared and visible regions. Based on the previous study, SiO2-TiO2 have been proven to be an excellent host for Er3+. However, Er3+ exhibits a low absorption cross-section when doped into the silica-based host. Therefore, Yb3+ has been introduced into the matrix and acts as a sensitiser to increase the luminescence intensity. Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped 75SiO2-25TiO2 nanofiber with different Er3+/Yb3+ ratios were fabricated via the sol-gel electrospinning method. The FESEM result shows the diameter of the nanofibers in the range of 62 to 515 nm. The absence of any peak within the 3000-4000 cm-1 range in the FTIR spectra indicates the complete removal of the OH group. The XRD results imply that all samples were amorphous. The PL spectra showed strong green emission peaks, which were ascribed to 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 as well as red emission peaks attributed to 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 Er3+ transitions. The PL intensity was varied according to the Yb3+ concentration. The addition of Yb3+ was proven to aid the increment of PL intensity. Nevertheless, the PL intensity reduced when too high of Yb3+ concentration was used due to the concentration quenching effect.

The Growth and Spectroscopic Properties of Er, Nd: YSGG Single Crystal Fibers

Single crystal fiber (SCF) is a novel solid gain medium and technique which combines the advantages of glass fiber and single crystal, showing great potential in the field of high-power lasers. In this paper, Er, Nd: YSGG single crystals with diameters of 2 mm and lengths of 80 mm were successfully grown using the micro-pulling-down method for the first time. Then, the measurements of Laue spots and Er3+ distribution indicated that the as-grown crystals were of a high quality. The effect of co-doped Nd3+ on the Er: YSGG was systematically discussed, which demonstrated that Nd3+ can decrease the fluorescence lifetime of Er: 4I13/2 that solve the self-termination bottleneck accordingly. These results demonstrate that Er, Nd: YSGG SCFs are promising materials for the further 3 μm laser generations.

Growth, structure and spectroscopic properties of Er:YSr3(PO4)3 disordered crystal for mid-infrared laser applications

Mid-infrared lasers in the ⁓ 3 µm region activated by Er3+ ion has attracted considerable attention due to their important applications. Herein, a heavy concentration (30 mol%) Er3+ ion doped YSr3(PO4)3 (Er:YSP) single crystal with a high crystalline quality was grown through the Czochralski pulling method. The structure of single crystal was ascertained to be cubic system with the point group 4¯3m using the powder X−ray diffraction and Rietveld structural refinement methods. Furthermore, the band structure and density of states of the crystal were analyzed by the first principal calculations. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were also investigated. An intense absorption band located at 974 nm with a full width half-maximum of 18 nm, where the absorption cross section was obtained to be 3.72 × 10−21 cm2. The full width half-maximum value of emission band centered at about 3090 nm is up to be 140 nm, which is very suitable for realizing ultrashort pulses and tunable lasers. In addition, the fluorescence lifetime of the upper 4I11/2 and lower 4I13/2 levels were obtained to be 0.65 ms and 5.37 ms, respectively. All the results show that the disordered structure crystal Er:YSP could potentially serve as a laser medium for the ⁓ 3µm region.

Investigation of emission characteristics in Er3+- doped bismuth phosphate glasses for NIR laser materials

Bismuth flourophosphate glasses doped with Er3+ ions (0.5 mol %) were synthesized using different modifier fluorides with the aid of melt quenching route. The glass samples were labelled as PBiBaAFT (where AF = Li, Na, Mg, K, Ca and Sr fluorides). The influence of cations of network modifiers on the structure and thereby spectroscopic properties of Er3+ ions was analysed via Powder XRD, FTIR, optical absorption and photoluminescence. Existence of relevant vibrational groups and modifications in structure due to the different admixture modifier cations were recognized via FTIR spectra. The Judd-Ofelt parameters abide by the trend Ω2 > Ω6 > Ω4 in the PBiBaLiT, PBiBaKT, PBiBaCaTand PBiBaSrT glasses whereas the trend was noticed to be Ω2 > Ω4 > Ω6 for PBBiNaT and PBiBaMgT glasses respectively. The visible emission spectra were recorded by exciting at 379 nm exhibit three emission bands centered at 526 nm, 544 nm and 686 nm. NIR emission spectra were recorded by exciting at 980 nm exhibit broad emission at 1535 nm. Admixture of different cations could exhibit change in luminescence intensity and radiative parameters of the prepared glasses. Spectroscopic parameters such as radiative transition probability (A), branching ratio (β), absorption cross section (∑), effective bandwidth (Δλeff) and optical band gain (σe × Δλeff) are calculated. The mid infrared spectroscopic features were investigated.

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped barium phosphate glasses for optical gain media

Barium metaphosphate glasses (PBaLa) doped with erbium (Er3+) ions have been prepared by melt quenching method and studied their optical, structural characteristics by using FT-IR, absorption, radiative de-excitation spectra, decay curves and up-conversion measurements. Judd-Ofelt (Ωλ, λ = 2,4 and 6) parameters have been determined using the absorption transitions of the Er3+(1.0 mol %)-doped glasses which are in turn taken to predict the radiative characteristics that include branching ratio (βR), radiative emission probability (AR) and lifetime (τR) of some important fluorescent levels of Er3+:glasses. Visible emission spectra measured under 378 nm excitation reveals three emission transitions at 663 (4F9/2 → 4I15/2), 547 (4S3/2→ 4I15/2) and 524 nm (2H11/2 → 4I15/2) corresponding to Er3+ ions. Among these, the green emission at 547 nm is relatively intense. Near-Infrared emissions were measured by exciting at 980 nm which exhibits broad emission at 4I13/2→ 4I15/2 (1.53 µm). The stimulated emission cross-section (σemi), FWHM and gain bandwidth (σemi× FWHM) were predicted to be 13.58 × 10-21 cm−2, 59 nm and 801.2 cm3, respectively, for PBaLaEr1.0 glass. The lifetime of 4I13/2 level has been shortened from 2.53 to 0.8 ms with an increase in Er3+ ions concentration from 0.1 to 2 mol %. NIR to visible up-conversion has also been measured for various concentrations of Er3+-doped PBaLaEr glasses with 980 nm excitation. These findings indicate that the Er3+-doped PBaLaEr glasses can be considered for waveguide laser and optical amplifier applications at 1.53 µm.

Structure and spectroscopic properties of Er3+ doped LiNbO3 thin film grown by e-beam evaporation

Er3+ doped LiNbO3 (Er: LN) single crystal films with varied doping levels of Er3+ were grown on z-cut LiTaO3 bulk single crystals by using e-beam evaporation method. The crystallographic orientation, fluorescence properties, ions valence states, Er3+ concentration and Li2O content of films were studied. The main phase of the obtained films is determined to be LN from X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering studies, and the films are found to be orienting along (006). Enhancement in the visible and near-infrared luminescence is observed as the doping concentration of Er3+ is increased. The Li2O content of films is determined using the optical birefringence method and found to be at a constant value of 48.8 mol%, which is consistent with the Raman results. XPS results show that the Er concentration in the films is lower than that in the polycrystalline powder since e-beam evaporation has a low efficiency for heavier Er3+. Fluorescence intensity ratios estimated at different measurement temperatures suggest that the Er: LN films have excellent temperature sensitivity, which shows the potential of the films for optical thermometry applications.

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+ doped germanate glasses before and after a heat treatment process

In this paper structural, thermal and optical properties of Er3+ doped germanate glasses with the composition of 63.0GeO2-9.8Ga2O3-11.1BaO-4.9X-8.8Na2O-2.5Er2O3 (in mol%), where X = ZnO, TiO2, Al2O3 and Y2O3 are reported. The investigated glasses exhibit low phonon energies (<1000 cm-1) and high glass transition temperature varying between 588 and 642 °C. The Raman spectra evidence about different polymerization degree of the glasses. The thermal treatment leads to the precipitation of various crystals, the composition of which depends on the glass composition. According to the spectroscopic properties Er3+ ions are suspected to have similar local environment in the as-prepared glasses. However, Er-doped crystals are expected to precipitate upon devitrification, which leads to significant change of the spectroscopic properties, in particular increase in the intensity of upconversion and MIR emissions is observed. It is demonstrated that the glasses with Y2O3, ZnO and TiO2 are promising glasses especially for MIR applications.

Anti-counterfeiting system based on luminescent varnish enriched by NIR- excited nanoparticles for paper security

Up-converting nanoparticles can be a demand for requirements in many areas, including bioimaging and conversion of energy, but also in the battle against counterfeiting. The properties of lanthanide ions make falsification difficult or even impossible using appropriately designed systems. The proposition of such an approach is the NaErF4:Tm3+@NaYF4 core@shell up-converting nanoparticles combined with transparent varnishes. Given the spectroscopic properties of Er3+ ions present in the fluoride matrix, the obtained up-converting nanoparticles absorb light by 808 and 975 nm wavelengths. The intentionally co-doped Tm3+ ions enable tuning characteristic green Er3+ emission to red luminescence, particularly desirable in anti-counterfeiting applications. The article includes a thorough analysis of structural and morphological properties. Moreover, this work shows that exclusive luminescent properties of NaErF4:Tm3+@NaYF4 NPs can be given to the transparent varnish, providing an excellent anti-counterfeiting system, revealing red emission under two different excitation wavelengths.

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped fluoro bismuth borate glasses for up-conversion luminescence

In this study, 24ZnF2-(47-x)B2O3-18Bi2O3-10ZnO-xEr2O3-1Yb2O3 (FBZEY) fluorine bismuth borate glass was prepared by a high-temperature melting method. XRD analysis showed that all glass samples were amorphous. The differential thermal analysis determined that ΔT of the glass was 107 °C, and it had good thermal stability. The role of doped rare earth ions in the matrix structure was studied using infrared spectroscopy. The near-infrared spectrum of the glass samples shows a wider peak corresponding to the 4I13/2→4I15/2 transition at 1530 nm at 980 nm excitation. When Er3+/Yb3+ is simultaneously located on 4I11/2, Yb3+ transfers energy to Er3+, converts it to 4F7/2 and returns itself to the ground state 4I15/2, thus greatly improving the optical properties of fluorescent glasses. By up-conversion spectra, it can be found that high energy emission photons can be obtained by using low energy excitation sources. Fluorescence attenuation analysis shows that the fluorescence lifetimes of FBZE1Y, FBZE3Y and FBZE5Y were 0.36 ms, 0.59 ms and 0.67 ms, respectively. The results show that the fluorine bismuth zinc glass sample has potential application value for enhancing up-conversion optical devices and amplifiers.

Mid-IR spectroscopy of Er3+doped low-phonon CsCdCl3and CsPbCl3crystals

The mid-IR spectroscopic properties ofEr3+doped low-phononCsCdCl3andCsPbCl3crystals grown by the Bridgman technique have been investigated. Using optical excitations at∼800nmand∼660nm, both crystals exhibited IR emissions at∼1.55,∼2.75,∼3.5, and∼4.5µmat room temperature. The mid-IR emission at 4.5 µm, originating from the4I9/2→4I11/2transition, showed a long emission lifetime of∼11.6msforEr3+dopedCsCdCl3, whereasEr3+dopedCsPbCl3exhibited a shorter lifetime of∼1.8ms. The measured emission lifetimes of the4I9/2state were nearly independent of the temperature, indicating a negligibly small nonradiative decay rate through multiphonon relaxation, as predicted by the energy-gap law for low-maximum-phonon energy hosts. The room temperature stimulated emission cross sections for the4I9/2→4I11/2transition inEr3+dopedCsCdCl3andCsPbCl3were determined to be∼0.14×10−20cm2and∼0.41×10−20cm2, respectively. The results of Judd–Ofelt analysis are presented and discussed.

Optical and spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped calcium borotellurite glasses

Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped calcium borotellurite glasses were prepared by melt quenching technique, and their optical and spectroscopic properties were investigated as a function of Yb2O3 content. Density, refraction index, optical absorption, luminescence, and radiative lifetime were measured at room temperature. Temperature effect in luminescence and radiative lifetime were also considered. Density, molar volume, and refraction index increased with Yb2O3 content. The optical absorption spectra showed characteristic transitions of Er3+ and Yb3+. The luminescence intensities at 1535 nm increased as a function of Yb3+ content. Radiative lifetime values from 4I13/5 → 4I15/2 transition decreased with the increase of Yb3+ due to a higher probability of non-radiative decay rate. The emission cross-section decreased up to 0.92 mol% Yb3+ and exhibited an increase for the 1.58 mol% Yb3+. The gain cross-section shows a potential application in S, C and L bands of the optical communication window. The emission intensity at 1535 nm decreased with the increase of the temperature from 300 to 420 K. The Er3+/Yb3+ codoped calcium borotellurite glasses presented properties, such as high refraction index and high emission at 1535 nm, which are attractive for applications like optical-fiber amplifiers or other photonic devices.

Study of visible, NIR, and MIR spectroscopic properties of Er3+‐doped tellurite glasses and glass–ceramics

AbstractIn this paper, the structural, thermal, optical, and spectroscopic properties of Er3+‐doped tellurite glasses with the composition 68.25TeO2–19.5ZnO–9.75X–2.5Er2O3 (in mol%) with X = BaO, Na2O, and Bi2O3 are reported. The glasses were prepared using the standard melt quenching method. The investigated glasses exhibit low phonon energy (∼745 cm−1) and low glass transition temperature varying between 300 and 350°C depending on the glass composition. The Raman spectra show a regular tellurite structure with variations in the number of bridging and non‐bridging oxygens depending on the glass composition, the Na2O and Bi2O3‐containing glasses having the most and the least polymerized network, respectively. A thermal treatment of the glasses leads to the formation of crystals, the composition of which depends on the glass composition, as revealed by X‐ray diffraction analysis and confirmed using scanning electron microscope‐energy‐dispersive spectroscopy. The precipitation of Er‐containing crystals in the Na2O and BaO‐containing glasses leads to an increase in the intensity of the upconversion emissions. Although the Er3+ ions remain in the amorphous part of the Bi2O3‐containing glass after heat treatment, it is the precipitation of Bi3.2Te0.8O6.4 crystals in this glass, which is thought to decrease the distance between the Er3+ ions leading to an increase in the intensity of the upconversion and mid‐infrared emissions.

Crystal Growth, Thermal and Spectral Properties of Er: LGGG Crystal.

A high-quality Er3+-doped (Gd1−xLux)3Ga5O12 (Er: LGGG) laser crystal with a size of Φ 36 × 45 mm3 was successfully grown by the Czochralski (Cz) method for the first time. The effective segregation coefficient of Er3+ was determined to be 0.97, close to 1, and, thus, the uniform high-quality Er: LGGG crystal can be grown. In addition, the thermal and spectroscopic properties of Er: LGGG were investigated. Based on the measured characteristics, the Er: LGGG crystal has a huge potential for use in the 3.0 µm mid-infrared laser because of its outstanding optical quality, extraordinary thermal conductivity and stable structure.

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped GdNbO4 phosphor for thermometry and marine safety protection

Micron-sized GdNbO4:Er3+/Yb3+ phosphors were prepared by employing a high-temperature solid-state reaction. The crystalline phase, morphology, composition, spectroscopic properties, and impact of rare-earth ion concentration, temperature and high salinity environment were systematically characterized. The extracted results show that phosphor is dominated by the existence of the GdNbO4 crystalline phase. Their morphology and agglomeration phenomenon are strongly dependent on the rare-earth concentration. The phosphor exhibits also excellent up-conversion luminescence (UCL) properties under 980 nm excitation, while a two-photon process accounts for UCL. The following optimal concentrations were selected for enhanced UCL intensity: 10 mol% for Yb3+ and 3 mol% for Er3+. The phosphor shows excellent thermometric performances including strong UCL, good thermal stability, appropriate sensitivity and a wide sensitivity response range. To evaluate the accuracy of the present optical thermometer, the temperature of a heated bench has been comparatively measured by using the proposed optical thermometer and a commercial thermocouple with an accuracy of 1 K. By comparing the temperature values measured by the two methods, it can be concluded that the present optical thermometer has an accuracy better than 1.6 K. In addition, the phosphor exhibits good chemical stability in high salinity environment. Interestingly, its crystalline phase, structure, and UCL spectral structure, intensity and color are all preserved after one-month immersion into a high salinity solution.

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped lithium-modified bismuth tellurite glasses for broadband near-infrared emission

Er3+ ions doped tellurite glasses are very attractive for laser and photonic applications. In this work, the glass forming ability of bismuth tellurite glasses was investigated by adding Li2O, and an optimal glass stability was obtained with additional dopant of 8 mol% Li2O. Moreover, an intense near-infrared (NIR) emission at 1.5 μm was observed in Er3+-doped TeO2-Bi2O3-Li2O (TBL-xEr) glasses with the full width at half maxima (FWHM) from 76 to 114 nm. 2.7 μm and visible emissions were also measured to understand the competitive luminescent mechanism. The maximum emission intensity at 1.5 μm was observed in TBL-1.0Er, while it decreased as the Er2O3 concentration continued to increase due to energy transfer between 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 level. Furthermore, Judd-Ofelt theory was used to evaluate the spectroscopic characteristics including radiative transition probability, branching ratio and radiative lifetime of Er3+ ions through absorption spectra. Glass TBL-1.0Er presented a large calculated stimulated emission cross-section (σem) at around 1.5 μm (10.43 × 10−21 cm2) and a high quantum efficiency (76.16%). Hence, these results imply that the developed glasses are promising gain-medium candidates for broadband optical amplifiers.

Optical properties of antimony-borate glass rods co-doped with Eu3+/Ag+ ions

This paper presents the results of research on the luminescent properties of antimony-borate glass rods doped with europium and silver ions. The reduction of silver ions to the form of nanoparticles was carried out and the occurrence of localized plasmon resonance was demonstrated, which caused changes in the Eu3+ luminescence signal at a wavelength of 613 nm. The effect of the concentration of silver ions dopant at a constant content of europium ions on the luminescence and absorption characteristics of the produced samples was investigated. In the examined doping range, no large dependencies of spectral changes as a function of the concentration of silver ions were found. A clear quenching of the luminescence was observed due to the heating time of the doped glass matrices for the energy transition (5D0 → 7F2). Full Text: PDF ReferencesS. Kuzman, J. Perisa, V. Dordevic, I. Zekovic, I. Vukoje, Z. Antic and M. D. Dramicanin, "Surface Plasmon Enhancement of Eu3+ Emission Intensity in LaPO4/Ag Nanoparticles", Materials 13, 3071 (2020). CrossRef V.P. Prakashan, M.S. Sajna, G. Gejo, M.S. Sanu, A.C. Saritha, P.R. Biju, J. Cyriac and N.V. Unnikrishan, "Surface Plasmon Assisted Luminescence Enhancement of Ag NP/NWs-Doped SiO2-TiO2-ZrO2:Eu3+ Ternary System", Plasmonics 14, 673 (2019). CrossRef O. Malta, P. Santa-Cruz, G. Sa and F. Auzel, "Fluorescence enhancement induced by the presence of small silver particles in Eu3+ doped materials", J. Lumin., 33, 261 (1985). CrossRef O. Malta, P. Santa-Cruz, G. Sa and F. Auzel, "Time evolution of the decay of the 5Do level of Eu3+ in glass materials doped with small silver particles", Chem. Phys. Lett, 116, 396 (1985). CrossRef J. Zmojda, M. Kochanowicz, P. Miluski et al., "The influence of Ag content and annealing time on structural and optical properties of SGS antimony-germanate glass doped with Er3+ ions", Journal of Molecular Structure 1160, 428 (2018). CrossRef Ki Young Kim, Plasmonics: Principles and Applications (Croatia, InTechOpen 2012) CrossRef M.R. Dousti, M.R. Sahar, S.K. Ghoshal et al., "Up-conversion enhancement in Er3 +-Ag co-doped zinc tellurite glass: Effect of heat treatment", Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 358, 2939 (2012). CrossRef I. Soltani, S. Hraiech, K. Horchani-Naifer et al., "Effect of silver nanoparticles on spectroscopic properties of Er3+ doped phosphate glass", Optical Materials 46, 454 (2015). CrossRef R. Schneider, E.A. de Campos, J.B.S. Mendes, J.F. Felix, P.A. Santa-Cruz, "Lead–germanate glasses: an easy growth process for silver nanoparticles and their promising applications in photonics and catalysis", RSC Advances 7 (66), 41479 (2017). CrossRef

Fabrication and comprehensive structural and spectroscopic properties of Er:Y2O3 transparent ceramics

Transparent Er:Y2O3 ceramics with sub-micron grain size (<1 μm) were fabricated by using one-step vacuum sintering followed by hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) technique. The transmission of the undoped Y2O3 reaches 83%. The structural characteristics including the phonon energy were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurement. The overall spectroscopic properties of transmission, fluorescence emission up to 3000 nm, lifetime, up-conversion luminescence, and refractive index were systematically studied for both 0.25 at% and 7.0 at% Er:Y2O3 ceramics with different thicknesses. The comparison of the spectra of the fluorescence emission and up-conversion luminescence under both 976 and 808 nm laser excitation was performed. The multiple high-energy-state transitional processes after the excited state absorption (ESA) processes involved in the up-conversion are discriminated between the multi-phonon non-radiative transitions and the radiative transitions according to the measured maximum phonon vibrational energy. The calculation was performed based on the Judd–Ofelt theory.

Spectroscopic and magneto-optical characteristics of erbium doped cerium trifluoride crystal grown by the Bridgman method

In this study, a 2 at% erbium doped cerium trifluoride (Er:CeF3) single crystal was grown using the Bridgman method. The consequent absorption, infrared transmittance, and fluorescence spectra were recorded. The spectroscopic properties of Er:CeF3 crystals were intensively studied based on the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) theory. The Ω2, Ω4, and Ω6 parameters were fitted to be 5.206 × 10−20, 1.805 × 10−20, and 3.06 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. The emission cross-section centered at 1564.6 nm was calculated to be 1.053 × 10−20 cm2, and the corresponding fluorescence lifetime was measured to be 1.675 ms. Additionally, the magneto-optical (MO) performance of the Er:CeF3 crystal was investigated for the first time. The Verdet constants of Er:CeF3 at 532, 632.8, 1064, and 1310 nm are 231.0, 165.4, 43.4, and 24.4 rad·T−1·m−1, respectively, which are significantly higher than those of pure CeF3 and traditional Tb3Ga5O12. The results show that the Er:CeF3 crystal can be applied both to solid-state lasers and Faraday devices.

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped oxyfluoro-germanate glass ceramics: A Judd-Ofelt theory analysis

The upconversion (UC) luminescence of Er3+-doped oxyfluoro-germanate glasses and glass ceramics is studied in terms of the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory. Using the least square method, three J-O intensity parameters (i.e., Ω2, Ω4, and Ω6) are determined from the experimental absorption spectra via the line strength equation of electric-dipole (ED) transition Sed of J→J′ transitions. The calculation results are calibrated by the detected fluorescence lifetime of Er3+: 4I13/2 level to obtain the truth value of the J-O parameters in the presence of transmission light scattering. Combining the obtained J-O parameters, we analyze the structure characteristics in the vicinity of the doped Er3+ ions, the bonding properties between rare earth ions (REs) and ligand anions, the crystallization mechanism of fluoride, as well as the microstructure of the glass ceramics. Furthermore, the effect of crystallization on the spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped oxyfluoro-germanate glasses is also explored.

Spectroscopy and efficient laser operation around 2.8 μm of Er:(Lu,Sc)2O3 sesquioxide ceramics

A transparent “mixed” 7 at.% Er:(Lu,Sc)2O3 sesquioxide ceramic was fabricated by hot isostatic pressing of commercial sesquioxide powders at 1750 °C/200 MPa in argon atmosphere. It exhibited a cubic bixbyite-type structure (a = 10.198 Å), a mean grain size of 5.7 μm and high low-signal transmission of 79.1 % in the near-IR. The spectroscopic properties of Er3+ ions were studied. For the 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 transition, the stimulated-emission cross-section σSE is 1.30 × 10−20 cm2 at 2719 nm, the corresponding luminescence branching ratio B(JJ’) is 19.9 % and the radiative lifetime of the 4I11/2 state is 4.80 ms, as determined using a Judd-Ofelt theory accounting for intermediate configuration interaction. The crystal-field splitting of Er3+ multiplets was studied at 12 K. The ceramic exhibits a significant inhomogeneous broadening of spectral bands. An Er:(Lu,Sc)2O3 ceramic laser generated 342 mW at 2.71 and 2.85 μm with a high slope efficiency of 41.7 % (exceeding the Stokes limit) and a laser threshold of 125 mW.