Growth and spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped Li3Ba2Y3(MoO4)8 crystal

Er3+:Li3Ba2Y3(MoO4)8 crystal has been grown by the top seeded solution growth method (TSSG) from a flux of Li2MoO4 and its morphology was analyzed. The polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves of the crystal were measured. Based on the Judd–Ofelt (J–O) theory, spectroscopic parameters of Er3+:Li3Ba2Y3(MoO4)8 crystal, including the oscillator intensity parameters Ωt (t = 2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios, and radiative lifetimes were calculated and analyzed. Stimulated emission cross-sections of the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition were estimated by the reciprocity method (RM) and the Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg (F–L) formula. Five up-conversion fluorescence bands around 490, 530, 550, 660 and 800 nm were observed with 977 nm excitation, and the possible up-conversion mechanisms were proposed.

► Er3+:Li3Ba2Y3(MoO4)8 crystal was grown by the top seeded solution growth method and the appearance and composition of the crystal were analyzed.
► The spectroscopic parameters were calculated based on the Judd–Ofelt theory.
► The lifetime of the crystal and powder sample was measured and the radiation trapping effect was discussed.
► The up-conversion fluorescence spectra were measured and the possible up-conversion mechanisms were proposed.