Preparation and optical characterization of lanthanum samarium oxalate single crystals

This paper reports the structural and optical characterization of lanthanum samarium oxalate single crystals. Various radiative properties of Sm3+ ion viz. Radiative transition probability, fluorescence branching ratio and ra diative lifetime are evaluated by the parametrisation of the absorption spe ctrum by Judd-Ofelt theory. The recorded fluorescence spectrum showed three well resolved transitions at 563, 597 and 643 nm, corresponding to the tra nsition from H-6(5/2) --> (4)G(5/2), H-6(7/2 -->) (4)G(5/2), H-6(9/2) --> ( 4)G(5/2). Stimulated emission cross-sections and optical gain of these emis sion transitions are also estimated and found to be highest for the H-6(9/2 ) --> (4)G(5/2) transition. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.