Spectroscopy of LiTaO3:Tm3+ crystals

The LiTaO3:Tm3+ single crystals with different Tm3+ concentration were grown by the Czochralski method and their optical properties are presented. The energy levels of Tm3+ multiplets split in the crystal field are determined. The effect of the thulium concentration and of the temperature on the H-3(4) emission lifetime is presented. The results of the Judd-Ofelt analysis are presented and discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.