Crystal growth and spectroscopic properties of Sm3+:Sr3Gd(BO3)3 crystal

The Sm3+:Sr3Gd(BO3)3 single crystal with dimensions of Φ20×25 mm3 was grown by the Czochralski method in nitrogen atmosphere. The effective segregation coefficient of Sm3+ was measured as 0.975. The polarized absorption spectra, emission spectra and fluorescence decay curves of the crystal were measured. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, spectroscopic parameters of the crystal, including the oscillator intensity parameters Ωt (t=2, 4, 6), spontaneous emission probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios, and radiative lifetimes were calculated and analyzed. The crystal exhibited a broad absorption band from 390 nm to 418 nm, a broad emission band from 585 nm to 625 nm, as well as a fluorescence lifetime up to 2.04 ms. These results indicate Sm3+:Sr3Gd(BO3)3 crystal is promising for lasing in visible region.