Site-selective spectroscopy of Yb3+:LaSc3(BO3)4

In recent years, ytterbium-doped materials have reached great interest for high power lasers, especially in the thin-disk laser setup. The main advantage of ytterbium compared to neodymium is the low quantum defect between pump and laser wavelength, the absence of upconversion processes (only cooperative luminescence) and the possibility of high doping concentration. Thus, ytterbium is the preferred ion for the thin disc laser around 1 μm wavelength. Here, Yb³⁺:LaSc₃(BO₃)₄ is investigated as gain medium for the thin disk-laser.