Effect of Niobium on Yb:GdVO4 single crystal

A study was made on effect of niobium on the GdVO4 crystal structure. Yb:GdV0.995Nb0.005O4 crystals were grown by the Czochralski method, and their transmission spectra, absorption spectra, and fluorescence spectra were measured. The GdV0.995Nb0.005O4 crystals acting as new laser host crystals do not affect the absorption of Yb3+. Some spectrum parameters calculated by the Fuchbauer-Ladenburger method indicate that doping of Nb5+ in the GdVO4 crystal improves the spectroscopic properties of Yb3+.