Comparison of Yb:YAG crystals grown by CZ and TGT method

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth Vol. 257; no. 3; pp. 297 - 300
• Main Authors: Xu, Xiaodong, Zhao, Zhiwei, Zhao, Guangjun, Xin Song, Ping, Xu, Jun, Deng, Peizhen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: A1. Spectral properties; A2. Czochralski method; A2. Temperature gradient technique; B1. Yb:AG crystal; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Growth from melts; zone melting and refining; Laser materials; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Optical materials; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optics; Other nonmetallic inorganics; Other nonmetals; Physics; Visible and ultraviolet spectra; 87.64.Ni; 42.70.Hj; A2. Temperature gradient technique; A2. Czochralski method; A1. Spectral properties; 81.10.Fq; B1. Yb:AG crystal; Inorganic compounds; Temperature gradients; Transition element compounds; Doping; Ultraviolet spectra; 87.64.Ni A1. Spectral properties; Laser materials; Czochralski method; Doping profiles; Experimental study; Ytterbium additions; Garnets; Optical materials; Absorption spectra; Thermal annealing; Comparative study; Yttrium oxides; Aluminium oxides; Crystal growth from melts
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-0248(03)01455-6

Five atomic percent Yb:YAG laser crystals have been grown by Czochralski (CZ) and temperature gradient technique (TGT) method. The absorption spectra of as-grown and annealed Yb:YAG crystals have been investigated. There is no Yb 2+ and color center absorption in TGT-grown Yb:YAG crystals; the absorption peak of CZ-grown Yb:YAG crystals after O 2-annealing at 255 nm is attributed to Fe 3+ ions. The longitudinal distribution of Yb 3+ ions has also been studied; TGT-grown Yb:YAG crystal has a larger distributing inhomogeneity of Yb 3+ although it is large sized.