Spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped α-Al2O3

We present the results of comprehensive spectroscopic study of the recently successfully synthesized nanopowders and fully densified transparent ceramics of Er3+-doped alpha-Al2O3 (corundum). Fluorescence and excitation spectra in a range of temperatures of 10-300 K were used to infer the energy level schemes of the ground state and the first three excited Er3+ multiplets (I-4(15/2), I-4(13/2), I-4(11/2), and I-4(9/2)) in this material. Obtained experimental data also allowed us to assess this material as a potential gain medium for high power laser applications in anticipation that it becomes available in the low-loss grain-aligned ceramic or single crystalline form in the near future. Published by Elsevier B.V.