Growth and spectral properties of Yb:Ca0.28Ba0.72Nb2O6 disordered crystal

The growth, XRD patterns, spectral properties, and fluorescence decays of Ca0.28Ba0.72Nb2O6 (Yb:CBN) with doping concentration of 1 at.% and 5 at.% were studied. The peak absorption cross-section and the emission cross-section were calculated. Larger Stark splitting of Yb:CBN offers the prospect of the quasi-four level laser operation. The fluorescence lifetimes are 0.64 and 0.73 ms for 1 at.% and 5 at.%, respectively. The FWHM of absorption and fluorescence spectra of 5 at.% Yb:CBN are 62 and 68 nm, which are broader than other ultrashort laser media. The results prove that Yb:CBN crystal is a good candidate as an ultrashort laser medium. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved