Enhanced emission of 2.7 μm from Er3+/Nd3+-codoped LiYF4 single crystals

► An Er3+/Nd3+ co-doped LiYF4 single crystal has been grown. ► An enhanced emission from 2500 nm to 2850 nm was obtained. ► The emission cross section is 6.68 × 10−21 cm2. ► The energy transfer mechanism was analyzed.