Enhanced yellow emission of Sm³⁺ via Ce³⁺ → Sm³⁺ energy transfer in Gd_0.1Y_0.9AlO₃ crystal

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A Sm³⁺/Ce³⁺ co-doped Gd_0.1Y_0.9AlO₃ laser crystal was successfully grown and analyzed. The use of Ce³⁺ co-doping for enhancing the Sm³⁺: ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 yellow emission was investigated in the Gd_0.1Y_0.9AlO₃ crystal for the first time. In comparison to Sm³⁺ single-doped Gd_0.1Y_0.9AlO₃ crystal, the Sm³⁺/Ce³⁺ co-doped Gd_0.1Y_0.9AlO₃ crystal had a higher luminescence branching ratio (48.9%) and luminescence emission cross section (5.01×10⁻²⁰ cm²) corresponding to the laser transition ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 of Sm³⁺. It was found that the introduced Ce³⁺ greatly enhanced the 602 nm emission by increasing the population of the laser excited level Sm³⁺: ⁴G_5/2. These results suggest that Sm³⁺/Ce³⁺ co-doped Gd_0.1Y_0.9AlO₃ crystal may be an attractive host for developing solid state lasers at around 602 nm laser applications.