Polarized spectral properties of Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal for visible laser application

•Polarized spectral properties of Sm3+:LiLuF4 at room temperature were analyzed.•Emission cross sections for the transitions of special interest for visible laser application were calculated.•Sm3+:LiLuF4 is a promising laser material at 605 nm pumped by 401 nm LD.

A Sm3+-doped LiLuF4 single crystal was grown by the vertical Bridgman–Stockbarge technique. Polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence lifetime of the Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal were recorded at room temperature. Based on the Judd–Ofelt theory, spectral parameters of the Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal were calculated. Emission cross sections for the 4G5/2 → 6HJ (J = 5/2, 7/2, 9/2, and 11/2) transitions with special interest for visible laser application were obtained by the Füchtbauer–Ladenburg formula. The results indicate that the Sm3+:LiLuF4 crystal may be a potential laser gain medium operating in visible region pumped by diode lasers around 401 nm.