Growth of (Er,Yb):YAl{sub 3}(BO{sub 3}){sub 4} laser crystals

(Er,Yb):YAl{sub 3}(BO{sub 3}){sub 4} single crystals of optical quality, up to 15 Multiplication-Sign 10 Multiplication-Sign 10 mm{sup 3} in size, have been grown from a (Er{sub 0.023}Yb{sub 0.116}Y{sub 0.862})Al{sub 3}(BO{sub 3}){sub 4} solution in a Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}-B{sub 2}O{sub 3}-K{sub 2}Mo{sub 3}O{sub 10} melt. The initial borate concentration was 17 wt %, and the flux cooling rate increased from 0.08 to 0.12 Degree-Sign C/h in the range 1060-1000 Degree-Sign C. The physical properties of the single crystals grown are good enough that they can be used as laser elements in systems with diode pumping and radiation near 1.5 {mu}m.