Spectral-luminescent and laser properties of the (Y1-x,Ybx)2O3−Al2O3−B2O3 glasses

Yttrium-alumina-borate glasses activated by the Yb3+ ions with compositions close to the huntite-like (Y1−xLnx)Al3(BO3)4 crystals have been synthesized by conventional melt-quenching technique in a platinum crucible, and their spectral-luminescent and laser properties have been investigated. It is established that this activator forms in the given glass one type of optical centers having the radiation decay time of 870 ± 40 μs. The limiting quantum yield of its luminescence in the case of complete dehydration of the glass will amount to ≈94%. The main laser parameters have been calculated and the nonlinearity of the refractive index and the threshold of laser-induced destruction of the glass surface have been determined. The lasing has been obtained on the glass plate of 2.1 mm thickness with a threshold of ≈60 W/mm2 estimated by specific absorbed power.