Spectroscopy and energy transfer characteristics of PLZT:Tm3+ transparent ceramics

Thulium-doped PLZT transparent ceramic is proposed as a new material for photonic applications in the near-infrared wavelength region (1.8 and 1.44 μm). In this work, its structural and spectroscopic characteristics are investigated through ground state absorption, luminescence and excited state lifetime measurements. The results are discussed in terms of energy transfer processes among Tm3+ ions as the cross relaxation 3H4, 3H6 → 3F4, 3F4 and the energy migrations 3H4, 3H6 → 3H6, 3H4 and 3F4, 3H6 → 3H6, 3F4. Excellent thermal and mechanical properties associated with desirable spectroscopic characteristics suggest that PLZT:Tm3+ is a potential laser active medium, worth of further development and investigations.