Red and infrared luminescence from tetragonal YSZ:Pr single crystal fibres grown by LFZ

Single crystal fibres of Pr³⁺-doped tetragonal yttria stabilized zirconia were grown by the laser floating zone method. The fibres show strong red luminescence at room temperature under ultraviolet optical pumping, which is due to the transition between the ¹D₂ and ³H₄ multiplets of the Pr³⁺ ion. Additionally, in the infrared spectral range main transitions were found at ∼1140 nm and 1560 nm. Their intensity ratio was shown to be dependent on the excitation wavelength, suggesting the presence of multiple Pr³⁺-related centres.