Structural, thermal, and luminescent properties of Yb-doped Y_3Al_5O_12 crystals

Abstract

Yb-doped Y3Al5O12 (Yb:YAG) single crystals were grown by the Czochralski method. The effects of various Yb3+ concentrations on structural distortion, density, and thermal expansion of Yb:YAG laser crystals are discussed. The fluorescence spectra, fluorescence lifetimes, and color-center absorption spectra of as-grown and annealed Yb:YAG with various doping levels were measured at room temperature. The effects of color centers on the fluorescence intensity and lifetime of Yb:YAG were also investigated.