Spectroscopy and dynamic measurements of a Tm,Dy : BaY2F8 crystal

A Tm, Dy:BaY2F8 crystal is studied in order to develop a solid state laser device pumped by a diode laser. Spectroscopic results include the measureme nts of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of both Tm and Dy at various crystal temperatures. Moreover, we measured the lifetime and deduced the e mission cross-section of the H-6(13/2) --> H-6(15/2) Dy transition in the 3 mu m wavelength region. We also calculated the radiative lifetime of the u pper multiplet and estimated the phonon energy of the crystal. (C) 1999 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.