AN ANNEALING METHOD FOR YTTERBIUM-DOPED YTTRIM ALUMINUM GARNET CRYSTAL

摘要

An annealing method for ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal, characterized in which comprised the following steps: supplying an Yb:YAG crystal into an alumina crucible which has being filled with pure and broken yttrium aluminum garnet crystals, and putting them together into a muffle furnace, while the lid of the crucible is half opened; the muffle furnace is heated up at a rate of no more than 50°C/hr to a temperature of 1000°C - 1300°C; maintain the temperature for 48 hours ; then lowering the temperature to room temperature at a rate of no more than 30°C/hr, subsequently withdrawing the gown Yb:YAG crystal. By annealing the crystal according to the method of the present invention, there are no scattering particles existed inside the crystal, and the stress in the crystal is removed completely, as well the laser and optical properties of the crystal are improved.