Growth of Yb 3+-doped Y 2O 3 single crystal rods by the micro-pulling-down method

Abstract

The rare-earth sesquioxides (RE 2O 3, RE = Lu, Y and Sc) are very promising host crystals for advanced laser diode (LD)-pumped Yb 3+-doped solid-state lasers due to unusual combination, almost unique of favourable structural, thermal and spectroscopic properties which are described. In spite of these favourable properties, the bulk single crystal growth technology for the rare-earth sesquioxides has not been established yet. The extremely high melting temperature at around 2400 °C has prevented it. However, we shall show that yttrium oxide crystals (Yb x Y 1− x ) 2O 3, x = 0.0, 0.005, 0.05, 0.08 and 0.15 of cylindrical shape as laser rods with 4.2 mm in diameter and 15–20 mm in length have been grown from rhenium crucibles by the micro-pulling-down method. The crystal quality characterisation of undoped Y 2O 3 crystal was determined using X-ray rocking curve (XRC) analysis. Yb were homogeneously distributed in Y 2O 3 host crystal.