Spectroscopic properties of Bi₂ZnOB₂O₆ single crystals doped with Pr³⁺ ions: Absorption and luminescence investigations

Nonlinear optical Bi₂ZnOB₂O₆ single crystals doped with Pr³⁺ ions were grown using the Kyropoulos method. The absorption and luminescence properties of these new systems were investigated for the first time. The crystals are characterized by the large values of nonlinear optical coefficients. Effective luminescence of the Pr³⁺ ions makes this system an excellent candidate for the near-infrared (NIR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) to visible (VIS) laser converters. Based on the obtained experimental spectroscopic data, detailed analysis of the absorption and luminescence spectra was performed using the conventional Judd-Ofelt theory. Those transitions, which can be potentially used for laser applications of the Pr³⁺ ion, have been identified. In addition to the intensity parameters Ω₂, Ω₄, Ω₆ the branching ratios and radiative lifetimes were estimated for all possible transitions in the studied spectral region.