Open AccessYb^3+ spectroscopy in (Nb or Ta):RbTiOPO_4 single crystals for laser applications
Author(s) -
Alexandra Peña,
Joan J. Carvajal,
María Cinta Pujol,
Xavier Mateos,
Magdalena Aguiló,
Francesc Díaz,
Valentín Petrov,
Patricia Segonds,
Benoı̂t Boulanger
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.014580
Subject(s) - ytterbium , materials science , spectroscopy , laser , optics , ion , second harmonic generation , absorption spectroscopy , fluorescence , absorption (acoustics) , wavelength , analytical chemistry (journal) , atomic physics , doping , optoelectronics , chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , chromatography , composite material , organic chemistry
Single crystals of Yb:RbTiOPO(4) codoped with Nb(5+) or Ta(5+) were grown by the top seeded solution growth slow-cooling technique. The ytterbium concentration in the crystals varies as a function of the molar ratio of the precursor oxides and of the codopant, reaching a maximum value of 1.9x10(20) Yb(3+) ions/cm(3). The broad band near 1 mum in absorption and emission spectra at room temperature is due to the large splitting of the Yb(3+) ground state. The ytterbium (2)F(5/2) level radiative lifetime in Nb:RbTiOPO(4) (tau(rad) = 2.7 ms), was calculated and then compared to the measured fluorescence decay time (tau(em) = 2.2 ms), giving an intrinsic quantum efficiency of 81%. To evaluate the potentiality of these crystals for self-frequency doubling, preliminary results of Yb(3+) laser operation and fundamental wavelength measurements for type-II non-critical second harmonic generation ( lambda(NCPM)) are also reported.