Growth, spectroscopic properties and laser performance near 2 µM of Tm3+/Ho3+: SrGdGa3O7 crystal

•The spectroscopic properties of Tm3+/Ho3+: SrGdGa3O7 were studied for the first time.•The crystal exhibited a broad absorption band and a broad emission band.•The crystal has a long fluorescence lifetime of 5I7 multiplet (Ho3+) up to 8.0 ms.•The 2.0 µm laser has been realized with the a-cut and c-cut crystal samples.

The Tm3+/Ho3+: SrGdGa3O7 single crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The polarized absorption spectra, emission spectra and fluorescence decay curves of the crystal were measured. The crystal exhibited a broad absorption band and a broad emission band, as well as a fluorescence lifetime of 5I7 multiplet of Ho3+ ions up to 8.0 ms. End-pumped by a fiber-coupled diode laser at 808 nm, the laser operation around 2.0 µm has been realized with the a-cut and c-cut crystal samples. The maximum output power is 200 mW when a-cut crystal sample was employed.