Spectral Properties of Pr, R3+:SrF2(R=Y,Gd) Laser Crystals

Abstract

A series of co-doped Pr, Y:SrF2 and Pr, Gd:SrF2 crystals were grown by the vertical Bridgman method and the influence of codoping ions on the lattice parameters and spectral properties of Pr:SrF2 crystal was studied. The results show that the doping of different kinds and concentration of the regulator ions can effectively improve the crystal absorption cross-section and emission intensity. Through changing the cluster structure and the local coordination structure of the luminescent center of the crystals, the law of different peaks' emission intensities of Pr, R3+:SrF2(R=Y,Gd) crystals varies with each other. Most of the peaks' emission intensities increase firstly and then decrease, and other few peak's law is opposite or its emission intensity keeps nearly unchanged. Influence of the regulator ions on internal cluster and local structure of the crystal is testified based on the unit cell parameters and the fluorescence lifetime spectra. In general, the optical properties of Pr:SrF2 crystals are improved after codoping with the regulator ions, especially with 6.0at% Y3+ and 10.0at% Gd3+, which optical properties reach the best.