Effective enhancement of?2.86 pm mid-infrared emission of Na5Y9F32 single crystal co-doped Ho3+/Pr3+introduced by Gd3+ions

The optical spectral properties of high-quality Na5Y9F32 single crystals triply incorporated Ho3+/Pr3+/Gd3+ ions prepared successfully via a Bridgman technique were characterized with the help of their absorption spectra, emission spectra, and fluorescence lifetimes. It was discovered that the emission intensity at similar to 2.86 pm of Na5Y9F32 co-doped Pr3+/Ho3+ single crystal was boosted obviously by introducing of Gd3+ ions, and it reached its maximum when the concentration of Gd3+ ion dopant was similar to 0.7 mol%. The release of more luminescent centers due to the destruction of [Ho3+-Ho3+] ion quenching clusters and variation of the symmetry of crystal field around Ho3+ ions are responsible for the augmentation of similar to 2.86 pm fluorescence emission. In addition, the introduction of Gd3+ ion reduced the fluorescence lifetime of Ho3+: 5I7 level, while the Ho3+:5I6 level remained slightly changed, which is beneficial to improve the particle inversion of Ho3+ ion between the 5I6 and 5I7 energy levels to enhance the similar to 2.86 pm emission. The results showed that the triply doped fluoride single crystal can become a potentially prospective material for similar to 2.86 pm mid-infrared lasers. (c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.