Optimization of the gain in Yb^(3+)-doped cubic laser crystals of 99.99% purity

This was an outlook on the prediction of the infrared laser potentiality from concentration dependences of the 2F5/2 experimental decay time in Yb3＋-doped solid-state crystals mainly on cubic crystals with 99.99% purity which could be extended to laser ceramics of the same composition.

Structural and optical studies of Yb^(3+),Er^(3+) and Er^(3+)/Yb^(3+) co-doped phosphate glasses

Phosphate glass samples with various Yb2O3 and Er2O3 contents were synthesized by the conventional melt quenching technique and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The absorption, emission spectra and fluorescence decay studies were carried out both at low and room temperatures. Results showed the existence of several sites occupied by the rare earth ions in the phosphate glass. Up-conversion and cooperative fluorescence were also discussed.

Raman and optical absorption spectroscopic investigation of Yb-Er codoped phosphate glasses containing SiO_2

Yb-Er codoped Na2O-Al2O3-P2O5-xSiO2 glasses containing 0 - 20 mol% SiO2 were prepared successfully. The addition of SiO2 to the phosphate glass not only lengthens the bond between pS＋ and non-bridging oxygen but also reduces the number of P=O bond. In contrast with silicate glass in which there is only four-fold coordinated Si4＋, most probably there coexist [SiO4] tetrahedron and [SiO6] oetahedron in our glasses. Within the range of 0 - 20 mol% SiO2 addition, the stimulated emission cross-section of Era＋ ion only decreases no more than 10%. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters of Er3＋, Ω2 does not change greatly, but Ω4 and Ω6 decrease obviously with increasing SiO2 addition, because the bond between Er3＋ and O2- is more strongly eovalently bonded.

Development of novel rare earth doped fluoride and oxide scintillators for two-dimensional imaging

Two topics were focused. The first one was about the gamma-ray scintillator, Pr^3＋：Lu3Al5O12 （LuAG）. The second one was about neutron scintillator, Ce^3＋：^6LiCaAlF6 and Eu^2＋：^6LiCaAlF6 （^6LiCAF）. Those scintillators have been developed very recently for modem imaging applications in the medical and homeland security fields. In both cases, the rare earth ions are playing the crucial role as emission centers. Pr^3＋ in LuAG provided fast 5d→4f transition providing noticeably shorter decay time than that of Ce^3＋. Among several candidate hosts, LuAG showed the best performance. Bulk crystal growth, basic scintillation properties, two-dimensional gamma-ray imaging and positron emission mammography （PEM） application were demonstrated. Due to the international situation, the homeland security was compromized by illicit traffic of explosives, drugs, nuclear materials, etc. and the ways to its improvement became an important R＆D topic. For this purpose the Ce and Eu doped LiCAF appeared competitive candidates. Especially, when substitution of 3He neutron detectors was considered, the discrimination ability of gamma-ray from alpha-ray was important. Bulk crystal growth, basic scintillation properties and two-dimensional neutron imaging were demonstrated.

Determination of energy transfer and upconversion constants for Yb^(3+)/Er^(3+) codoped phosphate glass

The energy transfer and cooperation upconversion processes are investigated in Yb3＋/Er3＋ codoped phos- phate glass. Based on the measured curves of output power versus incident power, the laser and spectroscopic parameters of the glass are fitted and analyzed. We focus on the resonant energy transfer constant k from Yb3＋ to Er3＋ as well as the cooperation upconversion coefficient Cup from 4113/2 of Era＋. The fitted k and Cup can give almost the same results for different thicknesses of glass disk with the same dop- ing concentrations. The determination of these parameters is helpful for the development of Yb3＋/Er3＋ codoped laser glass.