Optical transition properties of Er3+ ions in YA13(BO3)4 crystal

Abstract

Optical absorption and emission intensities of Er3+ ions in YA13(BO3)4 crystal have been investigated. It results in a good fit on absorption of the crystal, when the Judd-Ofelt theory of parity-forbidden electric-dipole transitions of rare earth ions on non-centrosymmetric sites is applied to Er:YA13(BO3)4 (EYAB). Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, the following spectral parameters have been obtained: intensity parameters Ωt,Ω2 = 6.54 × 10-20 cm2,Ω4 = 1.89 × 10-20 cm2, and Ω6 = 1.81 × 10-20 cm2, radiative transition probabilities AJ,J′ , oscillator strengths PJ,J′. The radiative lifetime of levels 4I11/2, 4H9/2, and 4S3/2 are 3.105, 0.213, and 0.297 ms, respectively. The fluorescence branching ratios for the transition 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 is 81.0%. The value of integrated emission cross sections are also calculated. The emission transitions 4I13/2 → 4I15/2, 4I11/2 → 4I13/2, and 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 provide potential applications of Er:YA13(BO3)4 as a laser material. © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.