Abstract
Yb3+:CaGdAlO4 is a new laser material with very high thermal conductivity (> 6.5 W K−1m−1) allowing high-power diode pumping power. High gain and broad emission (> 40 nm) allows this matrix to be well suitable for high power and/or ultrafast laser realization and the material is very competitive between other various oxide laser hosts [1]. However some problems with the crystal quality still remains and should be improved. The coloration is related to a parasitic absorption in the UV and visible range with a residual tail extending in the near IR in the wavelengths where trivalent ytterbium absorbs and emits resulting to a decrease of the quantum efficiency and on the performances. We succeed to improve the optical quality using excess of the rare earth cations associated with an argon atmosphere during the material growth (see figure 1). Crystals with ytterbium concentrations in the range 2%-5% have been elaborated.
© 2012 Optical Society of America
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