Evaluation of spectroscopic properties of Er3+/Yb3+/Pr3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal for use in mid-infrared lasers

Er(3+)/Yb(3+)/Pr(3+): SrGdGa3O7 crystal was firstly grown by Czochralski method. Detailed spectroscopic analyses of Er(3+)/Yb(3+)/Pr(3+): SrGdGa3O7 were carried out. Besides better absorption characteristic, the spectra of Er(3+)/Yb(3+)/Pr(3+): SrGdGa3O7 show weaker up-conversion and near-infrared emissions as well as superior mid-infrared emission in comparison to Er(3+): SrGdGa3O7 and Er(3+)/Yb(3+): SrGdGa3O7 crystals. Furthermore, the self-termination effect for Er(3+) 2.7 μm laser is suppressed successfully because the fluorescence lifetime of the (4)I(13/2) lower level of Er(3+) decreases markedly while that of the upper (4)I(11/2) level changes slightly in Er(3+)/Yb(3+)/Pr(3+): SrGdGa3O7 crystal. The sensitization effect of Yb(3+) and deactivation effect of Pr(3+) ions as well as the energy transfer mechanism in Er(3+)/Yb(3+)/Pr(3+): SrGdGa3O7 crystal were also studied in this work. The introduction of Yb(3+) and Pr(3+) is favorable for achieving an enhanced 2.7 μm emission in Er(3+)/Yb(3+)/Pr(3+): SrGdGa3O7 crystal which can act as a promising candidate for mid-infrared lasers.