Crystal growth and spectral properties of Ho:Sc2O3

Abstract

Edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) was successfully used to grow a Ho3+ doped Sc2O3 crystal. At room temperature, the spectroscopic characteristics of the Ho:Sc2O3 crystal were measured. At 650 nm, 1144 nm, and 1922nm, respectively, the peak absorption cross sections were 0.430 × 10−20 cm2, 0.159 × 10−20 cm2, and 0.513 × 10−20 cm2, with complete widths at half maximum of 16 nm, 22 nm, and 122 nm. The crystal's 5I7→5I8 and 5I6→5I7 peak emission cross-sections were 5.205 × 10−21 cm2 and 5.059 × 10−21 cm2, respectively. The measured fluorescence lifetimes 5I6 and 5I7 were 0.135 ms and 8.389 ms, respectively. The results demonstrated the great potential of Ho:Sc2O3 crystal for 3 µm laser operation.