Crystal growth, luminescent and lasing properties of the ytterbium doped Li6Y(BO3)3 compound

The luminescence properties of Yb3+-doped Li6Y(BO3)3 crystalline material are presented for applications as active medium in diode pumped (short pulse) lasers emitting around 1040 nm and pumped at 975 nm. A single crystal of several centimeter size was grown by the Czochralski method. The absorption and emission spectra were recorded. This borate exhibits a strong absorption line around 975 nm and a broad emission line around 1040 nm. The fluorescence lifetime associated to this intense 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 transition is about 1.1 ms. All these parameters make this material a good host for short pulse laser applications. First laser tests have been performed by diode-pumping in a plano-concave cavity.