Enhancement of Er³⁺ Luminescence in LiNbO₃:Mg Crystals

The luminescent properties of Er³⁺ ions in LiNbO₃:Er and LiNbO₃:Mg,Er crystals at room temperature were investigated by the emission spectra and the selective excitation spectra. The energy transition processes of Er³⁺ luminescence were analysed. It is found that the luminescent intensity of Er³⁺ ions in the LiNbO₃:Mg,Er crystal is increased up to 7.8 times compared with that in the LiNbO₃:Er crystal. Decrease of the defect center (Nb_Li) concentration due to doping with Mg²⁺ ions plays a key role in this phenomenon.