SM3+-doped LiNbO3 crystal, optical properties and emission cross-sections

Spectroscopic properties of the Sm3+-doped LiNbO3 crystal were investigated at various temperatures. Polarised absorption spectra, as well as emission and lifetime measurements were performed. The energies of crystal-field levels have been presented. The Judd-Ofelt theory, extended to anisotropic system, has been applied to evaluate the Omega(t=2,4,6) intensity parameters, radiative transition rates A(r), branching ratios, beta and radiative lifetime tau(r), of the fluorescent (4)G(5/2) level. The emission cross-sections of potential laser lines between 603 and 652 nm were estimated. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.