Growth and optical properties of In:Er:LiNbO3 crystals

Abstract In, Er double-doped LiNbO 3 crystals have been grown. The X-ray fluorescence measurements were used to measure the concentration of Er 3+ and In 3+ ions in the crystals. The ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra were measured and discussed in terms of the defect structure of the In:Er:LiNbO 3 crystals. The optical damage resistance of In:Er:LiNbO 3 crystals were characterized by the transmitted beam pattern distortion method. The optical damage resistance of In (3.0 mol%):Er:LiNbO 3 was more than three orders of magnitude higher than that of Er:LiNbO 3 . The defect structures were used in this paper to explain the optical damage resistance in the In:Er:LiNbO 3 crystals.