Polarized spectral properties of Sm3+:CaYAlO4 crystal

A 2.07 at.% Sm3+-doped CaYAlO4 crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The polarized spectra and decay curve were recorded at room temperature. The spectroscopic parameters were calculated on the basis of Judd-Ofelt theory. The absorption cross-sections at 408 nm were obtained to be 2.43 × 10−20cm2 and 4.09 × 10−20cm2 for the π and σ polarization, respectively. The main emission band, which had a fluorescence branching ratio of 45.51%, was located at 601 nm with cross-sections of 10.06 × 10−22 cm2 (π-polarization), 6.97 × 10−22 cm2 (σ-polarization). The decay lifetime of 4G5/2 multiplet was measured to be 0.83 ms. The Sm3+:CaYAlO4 crystal also has a good temperature-dependent fluorescence property. The results indicate the Sm3+:CaYAlO4 crystal may be a potential candidate of orange-yellow laser pumped directly by the GaN/InGaN laser diode.