Crystal growth and characterization of Yb3+-doped Gd3Ga5O12

Single crystals of (YbxGd1−x)3Ga5O12 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) have been grown by the micro-pulling-down method. Formation of continuous solid solutions with a garnet structure was confirmed. Composition dependence of the lattice constant, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity was investigated. Assignment of the Yb3+-energy levels in Gd3Ga5O12-host lattice has been performed by using absorption, emission and Raman spectroscopy measurements at both, room temperature and at 12 K.