Growth and optical properties of Dy:Y3Al5O12 crystal

High optical quality Dy:Y3Al5O12 (Dy:YAG) crystal has been grown by the Czochralski method. Absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curve of Dy:YAG have been recorded at room temperature. The strongest emission of Dy:YAG crystal is near 583 nm, corresponding to the F-4(9/2) -> H-6(13/2) transition. The Judd-Ofelt parameters Omega(2), Omega(4) and Omega(6) were calculated to be 1.49 x 10(-20) cm(2), 0.94 x 10(-20) cm(2) and 3.20 x 10(-20) cm(2), respectively. The radiative transition rates, branching ratios and the emission cross sections were calculated. The fluorescence and radiative lifetimes are 0.40 ms and 1.02 ms, respectively, resulting in a quantum efficiency of 39.2%. The results indicate that the Dy:YAG crystal would be a promising yellow solid state laser material.