Abstract
A novel mid-infrared (MIR) laser crystal ${{\rm Co/Er\!:\!PbF}_2}$ was successfully grown. The use of ${{\rm Er}^{3 +}}$ ion co-doping to sensitize a ${{\rm Co}^{2 +}}$ ion and enhance the 2.1–4.2 µm broadband MIR emission of the ${{\rm Co}^{2 +}}$ ion in a ${{\rm PbF}_2}$ crystal was studied for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The ${{\rm Er}^{3 +}}$ ion was demonstrated to be an effective sensitizer of the ${{\rm Co}^{2 +}}$ ion, making the ${{\rm Co/Er\!:\!PbF}_2}$ crystal propitious to be pumped by commercialized laser diodes. Furthermore, with ${{\rm Er}^{3 +}}$ ion co-doping, the local symmetry of ${{\rm Co}^{2 +}}$ and ${{\rm Er}^{3 +}}$ ions was seriously distorted, thereby enhancing the 2.1–4.2 µm MIR emissions. This study provides a path for designing MIR laser materials with optimal performance.
© 2021 Optical Society of America
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