Influence of [Li]/[Nb] ratios (0.85, 0.94, 1.05, 1.20 and 1.38) on dopant occupancy and light-induced scattering of Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3

•Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios (0.85, 0.94, 1.05, 1.20 and 1.38) were grown.•The effective distribution coefficient decreases for Hf4+ and increases for Yb3+ and Ho3+ with the increase of [Li]/[Nb] ratio in the melts.•Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystals with 1.05 [Li]/[Nb] ratios was the stoichiometric.•The exposure energy of Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystal with the [Li]/[Nb] ratios of 1.38 is 763.84 J/cm2.

Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios (0.85, 0.94, 1.05, 1.20 and 1.38) were grown by Czochraski technique. In this report, the defect structure and dopant occupancy of Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystals were determined by IR transmission spectrum. In all cases, the effective distribution coefficients are less than 1. Furthermore, the light-induced scattering of Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystals was quantitatively measured via the incident exposure energy. The exposure energy of Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystal with the [Li]/[Nb] ratios of 1.38 is 763.84 J/cm2, approximately 326 folds than that of the Hf:Yb:Ho:LiNbO3 crystal ([Li]/[Nb] = 0.85) in magnitude.