New nonlinear optical and laser crystals of borate family

摘要

(Er,Yb):YAl_3(BO_3)_4 single crystals have been obtained using K_2Mo_3O_(10) based flux by dipping seeded solution growth at a cooling rate of 0.2-5 ℃/day at temperatures from 1060 ℃ to 1000 ℃. The Er and Yb segregation coefficients vary from 0.80 to 1.02. A valuable technique for characterizing the non-linear performance of the crystal to identify the presence of twins in borate materials has been developed. Over 1.1 W of green emission was obtained from a diode-pumped Yb:YAB laser. Spectroscopic properties of Er,Yb:YAB crystals have been investigated leading to the demonstration of efficient continuous-wave (CW) and Q-switched diode-pumped (Er,-Yb):YAB laser operation.