Growth, structure and optical properties of Yb/Ho: CaLaGa3O7 laser crystal

Yb/Ho: CaLaGa3O7 as mid-IR laser crystal was successfully grown by the Czochralski method for the first time. The effects of Yb3+ on the structure parameters and spectroscopic properties have been investigated. In comparison with Ho3+ singly-doped CaLaGa3O7 crystal, Yb3+ not only enhances 2.86 µm emission but also depopulates the Ho3+: 5I7 level in Yb/Ho: CaLaGa3O7 crystal, which is beneficial to the possible population inversion for Ho3+: 5I6→5I7. Results indicate that the prepared Yb/Ho: CaLaGa3O7 crystal is a promising candidate for 2.86 μm mid-infrared laser applications.