Radiative transition probabilities of Er³⁺ in yttria stabilized cubic zirconia crystals

Er³⁺ doped yttria stabilized cubic zirconia crystals were prepared by the skull melting method. From the absorption maxima in the range 330-1700 nm the eigenvectors for Er³⁺ were calculated. This was followed by the calculation of the transition matrix elements between each pair of electronic levels. The Judd-Ofelt parameters were obtained by fitting the measured oscillator strengths to their predicted values using the above calculated matrix elements. These, combined with the Judd-Ofelt parameters, yielded radiative transition probabilities. Stimulated cross sections of the laser transitions were calculated and possible laser levels indicated.