Crystal growth, spectral properties and Judd-Ofelt analysis of Pr:LaF₃

A Pr³⁺ doped LaF₃ crystal was successfully grown by the heat exchange method for the first time. The peak absorption cross section at 442 nm was calculated to be 1.03 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² with the full-width at half-maximum of 8.2 nm. The stimulated emission cross section was obtained to be 3.31 ×10⁻²⁰ cm² at 600 nm. The fluorescence and radiative lifetimes of ³P₀ level were 54.98 μs and 88.36 μs, respectively. The results indicate that the Pr:LaF₃ single crystal would be a promising solid state laser material. (paper)