Spectroscopic characterisation of LaAlO3 crystal doped with Er3+ ions

Optical properties of a LaAlO3 single crystal doped with erbium were examined. The crystal was grown by the Czochralski method; absorption and emission spectra were measured at room and at low temperature. Decay times of main luminescence transitions were measured at 297 and 10 K. Judd–Ofelt analysis was applied to calculate the oscillator strengths, radiative transitions and branching ratios. The values of the omega parameters are: Ω2 = 0.962, Ω4 = 0.652, Ω6 = 0.352 (all Ωt values are in 10−20 cm2). RMS deviation was found to be 16.5 × 10−8. Emission cross-sections of the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 and 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 were calculated. The gain of the possible 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 stimulated emission was determined.