CRYSTALS OF YB3SC2GA3O12:CR3+:HO3+ AS A PROMISING MATERIAL FOR CASCADE LASING OF HO3+ IONS
An investigation was made of the possibility of lasing of Ho3+ ions in a Yb3Sc2Ga3O12:Cr3+:Ho3+ crystal in accordance with a cascade scheme 5I6→5I7→5I8 using flashlamp pumping at room temperature. The lifetime of the 2F5/2 level of the Yb3+ ion and of the 5I6 and 5I7 levels of the Ho3+ ion were determined. The efficiency of the Cr3+→Yb3+→Ho3+ energy transfer chain was 60%.