Enhanced yellow emission of Sm3+ via Ce3+ → Sm3+ energy transfer in Gd0.1Y0.9AlO3 crystal

A Sm 3+ /Ce 3+ co-doped Gd 0.1 Y 0.9 AlO 3 laser crystal was successfully grown and analyzed. The use of Ce 3+ co-doping for enhancing the Sm 3+ : 4 G 5/2  →  6 H 7/2 yellow emission was investigated in the Gd 0.1 Y 0.9 AlO 3 crystal for the first time. In comparison to Sm 3+ single-doped Gd 0.1 Y 0.9 AlO 3 crystal, the Sm 3+ /Ce 3+ co-doped Gd 0.1 Y 0.9 AlO 3 crystal had a higher luminescence branching ratio (48.9%) and luminescence emission cross section (5.01×10 −20  cm 2 ) corresponding to the laser transition 4 G 5/2  →  6 H 7/2 of Sm 3+ . It was found that the introduced Ce 3+ greatly enhanced the 602 nm emission by increasing the population of the laser excited level Sm 3+ : 4 G 5/2 . These results suggest that Sm 3+ /Ce 3+ co-doped Gd 0.1 Y 0.9 AlO 3 crystal may be an attractive host for developing solid state lasers at around 602 nm laser applications.