Abstract

Using Yb³⁺ as a sensitizer for Er³⁺ doped laser materials is a common technique [1] in glass host materials because of the high Yb³⁺ absorption cross sections. The Yb³⁺ ions absorb the pump light and transfer the energy to the Er³⁺ ions. Due to the energy match between the ⁴I_11/2 level of Er³⁺ and the ²F_5/2 level of Yb³⁺, the energy transfer process is resonant. Er³⁺ doped crystalline sesquioxides have a higher thermal conductivity, a higher hardness, higher peak emission cross sections and narrower emission peaks compared to Er³⁺:glass. These advantages make crystalline Er^{3 +}:Sc₂O₃ a promising laser material. In this work the energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ in crystalline Sc₂O₃ is studied. For the spectroscopic characterization, crystalline Sc₂O₃ films with different Er^{3 +},Yb³⁺ concentrations have been grown on α-Al₂O₃ substrates by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD).

© 2009 IEEE