The effect of In3+ ion on the optical characteristics of Er3+ in Er/Yb:LiNbO3 crystal

The effect of In3+ ion on the optical characteristics of Er3+ ion in Er/Yb:LiNbO3 crystal under 980 nm excitation has been investigated. The Er and Yb contents in the crystals were measured by an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). A significant enhancement of 1.54 μm emission was observed for Er/Yb:LiNbO3 crystal doped with 1 mol% In2O3. The studies on the UV–vis absorption and the OH− absorption spectra indicate that the threshold concentration of In3+ ion decreases with the Er/Yb doping in Er/Yb/In:LiNbO3 crystal. The 1 mol% In2O3 doping results in the reduction of absorption cross section in the UV–vis region, meaning the formation of Er3+ cluster sites. The enhancement of 1.54 μm emission is attributed to the larger probabilities of the cross relaxation processes 4S3/2 + 4I15/2 → 4I9/2 + 4I13/2 (Er), 4S3/2 + 4I15/2 → 4I13/2 + 4I9/2 (Er) and 4I9/2 + 4I15/2 → 4I13/2 + 4I13/2 (Er) induced by Er3+ cluster sites.

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► In3+ threshold concentration decreases in Er/Yb/In:LiNbO3 crystal.
► The Er and Yb contents in the crystals are measured by ICP-AES.
► An enhancement of 1.54 μm emission is observed for In/Er/Yb:LiNbO3 crystal.
► Er3+ cluster sites are formed in Er/Yb:LiNbO3 with 2 mol% In3+ ions.