Growth, structure, spectroscopic and continuous-wave laser properties of a new Yb: GdYCOB crystal

Abstract A new mixed crystal of Yb 0.14 Gd 0.71 Y 0.15 COB was grown by the Czochralski method. The polarized absorption spectra of the crystal were measured, and the absorption cross sections were determined to be 0.81 × 10 −20 (E// X ), 0.98 × 10 −20 (E// Y ) and 0.74 × 10 −20  cm 2  (E// Z ) at 977 nm. The fluorescence bands corresponding to 2 F 5/2  →  2 F 7/2 transition were identified in 970–1125 nm wavelength range with four peaks located at 977, 1003, 1030 and 1081 nm. The emission cross-sections were calculated by a combination of the reciprocity method (RM) and Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg (F-L) method. The fluorescence lifetime was recorded to be 2.59 ms. Effective continuous-wave (CW) laser operation was realized with this crystal, with a maximum laser output power of 9.28 W and a slope efficiency of 40.1% for laser operation. Our study may open up new opportunities toward the research and development of high-performance laser crystals.