Radiative transition probabilities of Er3+ in yttria stabilized cubic zirconia crystals

Abstract

Er³⁺ doped yttria stabilized cubic zirconia crystals were prepared by the skull melting method. From the absorption maxima in the range 330–1700 nm the eigenvectors for Er³⁺ were calculated. This was followed by the calculation of the transition matrix elements between each pair of electronic levels. The Judd–Ofelt parameters were obtained by fitting the measured oscillator strengths to their predicted values using the above calculated matrix elements. These, combined with the Judd–Ofelt parameters, yielded radiative transition probabilities. Stimulated cross sections of the laser transitions were calculated and possible laser levels indicated.