OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY OF DOPED LITAO3 CRYSTALS

The optical properties of Pr3+ and Cr3+ singly doped LiTaO3 crystals a nd doubly doped LiTaO3:Nd, Yb were investigated. Although the crystal- and electronic-structure of lithium tantalate is very similar to lith ium niobate (LiNbO3), the optical properties of investigated dopants i n both hosts are different, especially in the case of Pr3+ where the s trong emission from both P-3(0) and D-1(2) multiplets is observed. The dopants investigated enter different non-equivalent sites in the LiTa O3 host. Spectroscopically LiTaO3 crystals doped with Pr3+ or Yb3+ ion s appear to have potential as optically active media. The strong tempe rature quenching of emission of Cr3+ ions in LiTaO3 limits the practic al application of this system. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.