Date of Award

3-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials Science

Department

Department of Engineering Physics

First Advisor

Jonathan W. Evans, PhD

Abstract

Yttrium-fluoride crystals doped with trivalent holmium are promising laser gain media for mid-infrared laser systems. To accurately model laser systems, a complete optical characterization of the laser gain medium is required. The key modeling parameters were obtained by a spectroscopic investigation of Ho3+ in LiYF4 and BaY2F8 crystal hosts. Several important mid-infrared laser transitions were characterized at nominal Ho3+ ion concentrations of 10-30 at.%. Polarized emission cross-sections were determined from the fluorescence spectra using the Füchtbauer-Ladenburg method. Polarized absorption cross-sections were obtained using the Integral Reciprocity method. The upper-state lifetimes were measured at room temperature. This research presents some of the first such spectroscopic results concerning the mid-IR transitions of Ho3+ in fluorides at these ion concentrations, and furthermore demonstrates a contemporary methodology for optical characterization that may be applied to any rare-earth laser gain medium.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENP-MS-24-M-042

Comments

A 12-month embargo was observed for posting this work on AFIT Scholar.

Distribution Statement A, Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited. PA case number 88ABW-2024-0174.

Plain-text title form: Spectroscopic Characterization of Trivalent Holmium in LiYF4 and BaY2F8 Crystals

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