Yb: The Gdvo <sub> 4 </ Sub> Series Of Laser Crystal Growth And Performance

Merging with both the strongpoints of semiconductor and solid-state lasers, Diode-pumped Solid-state Lasers (DPSSL) have been widely used in the fields of military, medical treatment, optical communication, material processing, laser measurement, etc, due to its advantages such as compactness, long lifetime, all-solid state, high efficiency and high stability. Searching for more efficient laser crystals has become a hotpoint since such materials play important roles both in laser designing and laser application.Single crystals of rare earth orthovanadate (ReVO₄) including Nd:YVO₄, Nd:GdVO₄ and Nd:LuVO₄ have been proved to be excellent laser materials. Nd:YVO₄ crystal has been commercialized in small-medium-power laser systems, while GdVO₄ crystal, with high thermal conductivity, is a promising material in high power laser application. Lasers based on Yb³⁺ -doped materials have some advantages over those based on Nd³⁺ ion. However, studies on Yb:ReVO₄ crystals such as Yb:GdVO₄ are scarce by far, so it is necessary to carry out research work on this promising laser material.In this work, crystal growth, structure, defects, thermal and spectral properties together with laser performance have been systematically investigated, the outline is shown as follows:1. Crystal growthPolycrystalline material for Yb:GdVO₄ single crystal growth was synthesized by a liquid-phase reaction method and the starting reagents were V₂O₅, Yb₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ with a purity of 99.99%. Deferent doping concentration of Yb:GdVO₄ crystals were grown by the Czochraski method, and influence on crystal growth and quality apposed by such factors as growth parameters, thermal environment and the growth interface were discussed.2. Structure analysisThe structure and growth morphology of Yb:GdVO₄ crystal were analyzed.