Spectral properties and laser performances of Yb3+:LaCa4O(BO3)3 crystal with high concentration doping

•Yb3+:LaCa4O(BO3)3 single crystal was grown with high concentration doping.•Laser potentiality was evaluated based on the spectral and laser parameters.•Continuous wave laser operation was realized.•An output power of 0.77 W and a slope efficiency of 15.71% at 1077 nm were obtained.•The spectra and laser properties of Yb3+:LaCa4O(BO3)3 crystal were firstly reported.

High concentration of 15 at.% Yb3+ doped LaCa4O(BO3)3 (LaCOB) crystal was grown by Czochralski technique. The absorption cross section was conclulated to be 0.63 × 10−20 cm2 at 977 nm and the emission cross section to be 0.39 × 10−20 cm2 at 1030 nm, with the FWHM of 6.15 and 33 nm respectively. Laser potentiality was evaluated based on the gain cross section σg, the minimum inversion fraction βmin and the minimum pump intensity Imin, which were calculated to be 0.18 × 10−20 cm2, 0.05 and 0.47 kw/cm2, respectively. Continuous wave laser operation was realized with an output power of 0.77 W and a slope efficiency of 15.71%. The laser emitted around 1077 nm. The radiation trapping and continuous pump mode are contributed to the lasing wavelength for present crystal.