Optimum fluorescence emission around 1.8 μm for LiYF4 single crystals of various Tm3＋-doping concentrations

In this paper, optical spectra of LiYF4 single crystals doped with Tm3＋ ions of various concentrations are reported. The emission intensity at 1.8 ktm first increases with increasing Tm3＋ concentration, and reaches a maximum value when the concentration of Tm3＋ is about 1.28 mol%, then it decreases rapidly as the concentration of Tm3＋ further increases to 3.49 mol%. The emission lifetime at 1.8 p.m also shows a similar tendency to the emission intensity. The maximum lifetime of 1.8 μm is measured to be 17.68 ms for the sample doped with Tm3＋ of 1.28 mol%. The emission cross section of 3F4 level is calculated. The maximum reaches 3.76 × 10 -21 cm2 at 1909 nm. The cross relaxation （3H6, 3H4 →3 F4, 3F4） between Tm3＋ ions and the concentration quenching effect are mainly attributed to the change of emission with Tm3＋ concentration. The largest quantum efficiency between Tm3＋ ions is estimated to be ,-147% from the measured lifetime and calculated radiative lifetime. All the results suggest that the Tm3＋/LiYF4 single crystal may have potential applications in 2 μm mid-infrared lasers.