Near-infrared broadband luminescence of Yb-doped PbClF crystals

► Yb-doped PbClF crystals were grown by a modified Bridgman method. ► Luminescence properties of as-grown crystals were investigated. ► The Stark splitting of Yb3+2F7/2 level was calculated to be 801 cm−1 in crystal A. ► Fluorescence lifetime of Yb3+ ions in PbClF was obtained. ► Cleavage lines on the surface of the PbClF crystals were observed.