Crystal growth and spectral properties of Sm:GGG crystal

A Sm:GGG crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The absorption and emission spectra of Sm:GGG were measured at room temperature. According to the Judd–Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters Ωt (t=2, 4, 6), spontaneous transition probabilities, branching ratio and radiative lifetime of 4G5/2 state were calculated. The emission cross-sections of 567, 613, 662 and 710 nm were estimated. The decay curve of the 613 nm emission assigned to the 4G5/2→6H7/2 transition was measured and the fluorescence lifetime was also determined.

► Sm:GGG has high absorption coefficient around 405 nm. ► High-quality Sm:GGG crystal was first grown by Cz method. ► Product of σ and τR of Sm3+ in GGG is much higher than in other crystals. ► Sm:GGG is a promising orange–yellow laser material for 405 nm LD pumping.