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 ²F_5/2 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%.