Soviet Journal of Quantum Electronics
Cross-relaxation deactivation of the ground state of ions of rare-earth elements in crystals
Mikhail A. Noginov, A M Prokhorov, G. K. Sarkisyan, Valerii A Smirnov, Ivan A Shcherbakov
Abstract
An unconventional system for the excitation of crystals activated with Tm 3+ and Er 3+ ions was proposed and implemented experimentally. This eliminated the need for any direct interaction between the external electromagnetic field and ions in the ground energy state. It was shown that efficient filling of unstable states of these ions may be achieved as a result of the absorption of photons due to a transition from an excited state and subsequent cross relaxation of the excitation.