LAUSR

Abstract Er3+-modified 0.68Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.32PbTiO3 (PMN-32PT) single crystals were grown by using the flux method. The growth mechanism of the crystal and influences of Er3+ ions on phase structure, electrical and optical properties were investigated. Results reveal that the crystals are still pure perovskite structure with Er3+ ions doping, but lattice enlarges slightly. The coercive electric field is increased from 4.83 to 6.37 kV/cm for [100]-oriented crystals comparing to undoped PMN-32PT single crystals. Moreover, the crystal exhibits upconversion emission properties. Green (531 and 552 nm) and red (670 nm) emission bands are recorded under the excitation of 980 nm diode laser, which correspond to the 2H11/2 → 4I15/2, 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions. Our results show the feasibility of using this crystal in photoelectric multifunctional devices.