Spectroscopic properties of Yb3+ in NaYbP2O7 diphosphate single crystals

Yb3+ absorption and fluorescent emissions were investigated for NaYbP2O7 diphosphate single crystals. The interpretation of electronic energy level positions has been done by using the comparison of absorption and emission spectra with those of vibronic sideband energy positions from Raman and IR absorption spectroscopies. The Yb3+ energy levels scheme in this host was drawn. The decay time for infrared Yb3+ (5F5/2 excited state) fluorescence was in the range of 1–2 ms. The interest feature is leading to broad emission band at room temperature from 940 nm to 1100 nm, which seems of high interest for ultra-short laser pulse production.