Title :
Evaluation of absorption and emission properties of Yb3+ doped crystals for laser applications
Author :
DeLoach, Laura D. ; Payne, Stephen A. ; Chase, L.L. ; Smith, Larry K. ; Kway, Wayne L. ; Krupke, William F.
Author_Institution :
Lawrence Livermore Nat. Lab., California Univ., CA, USA
fDate :
4/1/1993 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The emission and absorption properties of numerous host crystals doped with Yb3+ ions have been studied. The hosts which have been selected include LiYF4, LaF3, SrF2, BaF2, KCaF3, KY3F10, Rb2NaYF6, BaY2 F8, Y2SiO5, Y3Al5 O12, YAlO3, LuPO4, Ca5(PO4)3F, LiYO2, and ScBO 3. Spectral determinations have been made of the resonant absorption and emission cross sections between 850 and 1100 nm, and the emission decay times of the upper laser level have been measured. The emission cross sections have been evaluated using the absorption cross section and principle of reciprocity, and again using the Fuchtbauer-Ladenberg formula. Agreement between the two methods is within 20% for most materials. The results are discussed in the framework of requirements for an effective diode-pumped Yb3+ laser system. Ca5(PO4)3F:Yb is predicted to exhibit the most useful laser properties and is expected to be far superior to Y3Al5O12:Yb in many key microscopic parameter values
Keywords :
impurity and defect absorption spectra of inorganic solids; infrared spectra of inorganic solids; luminescence of inorganic solids; photoluminescence; radiative lifetimes; solid lasers; stimulated emission; ytterbium; 850 to 1100 nm; BaF2:Yb; BaY2F8:Yb; Ca5(PO4)3F:Yb; Fuchtbauer-Ladenberg formula; KCaF3:Yb; KY3F10:Yb; LaF3:Yb; LiYF4:Yb; LiYO2:Yb; LuPO4:Yb; Rb2NaYF6:Yb; ScBO3:Yb; SrF2:Yb; Y2SiO5:Yb; YAG:Yb; YAl5O12:Yb; YAlO3:Yb; Yb3+ doped crystals; absorption properties; effective diode-pumped Yb3+ laser system; emission cross sections; emission decay times; emission properties; laser applications; laser properties; microscopic parameter values; principle of reciprocity; resonant absorption cross sections; Absorption; Crystals; Diode lasers; Laser applications; Laser excitation; Laser transitions; Laser tuning; Optical design; Pump lasers; Ytterbium;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
