Abstract

Decay processes with a rate comparable to the spontaneous fluorescence rate and with a high heat generation are observed in Yb:YAG. The rate of the decay depends on the density of the excited Yb³⁺ ions (N₂) and on the temperature, and is zero at the low excitation density. Decay rate rises rapidly with N₂ beginning at some specific threshold density. The threshold density depends on the doping concentration and is lower for a lower doping level. The rapid decay limits the gain and even prevent efficient laser action in the thin disk laser design for the doping concentrations higher than 15 at. %.

© 2005 Optical Society of America