Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of Tm3+-doped KY3F10 single crystals

We examine the laser possibilities offered by Tm3+-doped KY3F10. After crys tal growth and X-ray diffraction analysis, the optical properties of thuliu m ions in KY3F10 are determined for the first time. Absorption and emission spectra recorded at low temperatures are used to obtain a set of Stark sub levels, whereas the room-temperature absorption spectra have been allowed t o fit the three phenomenological Judd-Ofelt (JO) parameters. The emission l ine strengths, branching ratios, and radiative lifetimes of levels from F-3 (4) up to D-1(2) are then deduced. A comparison between the calculated life times and the measured luminescence decay curves permits us to check the re liability of the JO analysis for this system. The potential of Tm:KY3F10 fo r laser emission from H-3(4) or F-3(4) emitting levels is briefly examined.