Judd–Ofelt analysis of ceramic La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 doped with Er3+

A Judd–Ofelt analysis is performed on ceramic samples of erbium-doped langatate (La3Ga5.5Ta0.5O14 – LGT). The intensity parameters are calibrated using the lifetime of the radiative-decaying 4I13/2 level. The influence of the light scattering on the absorption spectra of Er:LGT and implicitly on the intensity parameters is investigated by changing the sample thickness. The value of the Ω2 parameter was found to be more sensitive to light scattering effects, while Ω6 is the most insensitive to such effects. The quantum efficiency of the (2H11/2, 4S3/2) and 4F9/2 levels was calculated; their values are only slightly distorted in the presence of light scattering. The possibility of erroneous interpretations of the Judd–Ofelt parameters due to light scattering effects is pointed out.