Spectroscopic analysis of Er:Y2O3 crystal at 2.7 μm mid-IR laser

Abstract High quality 7 at%Er:Y2O3 crystal was successfully grown by Fz method. Judd-Ofelt theory was applied to analyze spectroscopic properties at 2.7 μm. The larger value of Ω2 shows low local environment symmetry exists in Er:Y2O3 crystal, and the large Ω4/Ω6 indicates better spectral quality. The larger absorption cross-section and FWHM are beneficial to efficient absorption of pump source. The fluorescence spectra and lifetimes of Er:Y2O3 crystal were measured and studied at 2.7 μm. The emission cross-sections at 2723 nm was calculated to be 1.41 × 10−20cm2. Compared with other Er3+ doped crystals, the large spectral quality factors Q and low fluorescence lifetime ratio illustrate that Er:Y2O3 crystal has excellent laser properties at 2.7 μm. In addition, the low inversion ratio also indicates great potential of Er:Y2O3 crystal for laser generation at 2.7 μm.