Growth and spectroscopic properties of Er:Lu2O3 crystal grown by floating zone method

Er3+ doped Lu2O3 single crystal with high optical quality was successfully grown by Floating zone (Fz) method. The spectral properties and Judd-Ofelt (JO) analysis were reported. The absorption cross section at 971 nm was 1.5 × 10-21 cm2. The emission cross-section at 1558 and 2742 nm was calculated to be 2.20 × 10-20 cm2 and 3.22 × 10-20 cm2, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime of 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 energy level was fitted to be 1.59 ms and 12.43 ms. Meanwhile, the positive gain cross-section was achieved in 1.5 m and 2.8 m with inversion ratio P = 0.5. The low inversion ratios indicate a great potential of Er:Lu2O3 crystal with good gain performance.