Abstract
Mechanisms of transient light-induced refractive-index changes in Yb-doped crystals Yb:KYW, Yb:KGW and Yb:YVO4 were studied. Relative amplitudes and lifetimes of the electronic component of phase gratings caused by the polarizability difference of the excited and unexcited Yb3+ ions and the thermal component arising from thermalization of the pump energy were measured. Polarizability difference values of the ground 2F7/2 and the excited metastable 2F5/2 levels at the testing wavelength of 633 nm were determined for all crystals. The thermal diffusivity of the samples was estimated for selected directions of the thermal gradient. An athermal direction, along which the thermal component of refraction disappears, was found in Yb:KYW crystal under specific experimental conditions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
