Abstract: Sm³⁺-doped YAG and Y₃ScAl₄O₁₂ single crystal fibers were successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) technique. X-ray diffraction test shows that the crystals are cubic phase structure, the lattice constants of Sm∶YAG and Sm∶Y₃ScAl₄O₁₂ single crystal fibers are calculated to be a=1.199 3 nm and a=1.200 0 nm, respectively. The Raman spectra, absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence lifetimes of the crystal fibers were measured at room temperature. The strong absorption band centered at 405 nm matches well the InGaN/GaN laser diode pumping. Under 404 nm excitation, the emission transition of ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2 peaked at 618 nm appears to be strongest, and the fluorescence lifetime of the ⁴G_5/2 level of Sm³⁺-doped YAG and Y₃ScAl₄O₁₂ single crystal fibers are determined to be 1.86 ms and 1.83 ms, respectively. The experimental data shows that Sm∶YAG and Sm∶Y₃ScAl₄O₁₂ single crystal fibers are potential laser media in the red-orange wavelength range.

Key words: Sm∶YAG, Sm∶Y₃ScAl₄O₁₂, single crystal fiber, micro-pulling-down method, crystal growth, visible laser, spectral property