Abstract

We report the polarized absorption and emission spectra, the fluorescence lifetimes and the gain measurements of Er³⁺ in single crystals of YVO₄. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters for f-f transitions were derived from the integrated absorption spctra and used to calculate the spontaneous emission probabilities. Evidence is given for green upconversion fluorescence with the use of 649 nm, 800 nm, and 980 nm excitation. Analysis of the results show that upconversion occurs via energy transfer. Gain measurments show that laser action may be expected at several wavelengths between 1.53 and 1.61 μm.

© 1996 Optical Society of America