Materials Research Bulletin, Vol.48, No.7, 2630-2635, 2013
Growth, structure and laser action of Yb:YxLu1-xVO4 (x=0.93, 0.85 and 0.71) mixed crystals
A new series of Yb:YxLu1-xYO4 (x = 0.93, 0.85, and 0.71) mixed laser crystals were grown by the Czochralski method. Crystal structure analysis showed that Yb:YxLu1-xVO4 crystals possessed the similar crystal structure to those of the tetragonal YVO4 and LuVO4. The polarized absorption spectra were measured at room temperature. The continuous-wave (CW) laser action of diode-pumped Yb:YxLu1-xVO4 mixed crystal laser was reported. A maximum output power of 1.19W with a slope efficiency of 21.2% was demonstrated for the Yb:Y0.93Lu1-xVO4 crystal. The laser emission spectra and relationship curves between the output power and absorbed pump power (P-abs) of Yb:YxLu1-xVO4 (x = 0.93 and 0.71) crystals were measured. The laser damage threshold values and the optical quality of Yb:YxLu1-xVO4 mixed crystal were also studied. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.