Growth, crystal structure and spectrum of a novel rare-earth orthophosphate crystal: Yb:LuPO4

Yb: LuPO4 crystals with the size up to 6×2×0.5mm3 were grown by the flux growth process using lead pyrophosphate Pb2P2O7 as the high-temperature solvent. The crystal structure of Yb: LuPO4 crystals at room temperature was refined by using single crystal X-ray diffraction data. Crystal structure analysis showed that Yb: LuPO4 crystals possessed the tetragonal xenotime structure. The polarized absorption spectra of Yb: LuPO4 were tested at room temperature. The results showed that the absorption spectral region of Yb: LuPO4 crystal was well matched for pumping with readily available diode lasers.