New laser materials for diode pumped solid state lasers

Ytterbium (Yb3+) doped solid state lasers (e.g. Yb:YAG), pumped with InGaAs laser diodes, have been intensively and successfully developed recently. A search is in progress for novel ytterbium doped crystals possessing properties superior to known Yb doped gain media, or with properties enabling of Yb lasers with new capabilities. Several such materials have been identified and characterized in the past year.