Dual effects of Nd 3+ in Nd 3+ /Ho 3+ :CaLaGa 3 O 7 crystal on 2.86 µm emission

Abstract Enhanced 2.86 µm emission corresponding to Ho 3+ : 5 I 6 → 5 I 7 was achieved in Nd 3+ /Ho 3+ codoped CaLaGa 3 O 7 crystal for the first time. The detailed spectroscopic properties and energy transfer mechanism of the as-grown crystal were investigated. The results show that the Nd 3+ ion is not only a very good sensitizer in a Ho 3+ doped CaLaGa 3 O 7 crystal, but also an appropriate deactivated ion with efficient depopulation of the Ho 3+ : 5 I 7 level for enhancing the 2.86 µm fluorescence emission. And the energy transfer efficiency of Ho 3+ : 5 I 7 →Nd 3+ : 4 I 13/2 is estimated to be 93%, which indicates that the self-termination effect for the 2.86 µm holmium laser is suppressed successfully in Nd 3+ /Ho 3+ : CaLaGa 3 O 7 crystal. Besides, the thermal properties of Nd 3+ : CaLaGa 3 O 7 crystal were also studied. In conclusion, the introduction of Nd 3+ is favorable for achieving an enhanced 2.86 µm emission in Nd 3+ /Ho 3+ : CaLaGa 3 O 7 crystal, which can act as a new promising candidate for mid-infrared lasers.