Gd3Ga3Al2O12 single crystal doped with dysprosium: Spectroscopic properties and luminescence characteristics

• Novel Gd3Ga3Al2O12:Dy optical system.
• Absorption and emission properties of GAGG:Dy single crystal.
• Energy of crystal field components of dysprosium multiplets.
• Transition rates analysis and Dy3+ emission efficiency.

Optical absorption and emission spectra of Dy3+ ions in Gd3Ga3Al2O12 single crystal were investigated at room temperature and T = 5 K in the visible (VIS) and near-infrared (NIR) region. Low-temperature spectra were utilized to determine the energy level structure of Dy3+ in the GGAG host. The detailed analysis implied that optically active ions reside mainly into well-defined sites in the crystal studied. Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory was used to calculate oscillator strengths, transitions intensity parameters Ω2,4,6, radiative transition probabilities, luminescence branching ratios and radiative lifetime of dysprosium luminescent level. Relaxation dynamic of 4F9/2 excited state was examined as a function of temperature. High quantum efficiency of dysprosium luminescence level, value of the 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 yellow emission cross-section and the quality of remaining spectroscopic parameters indicate that the Gd3Ga3Al2O12:Dy3+ optical system can be considered as promising phosphor and visible laser material.