Comparison of optical properties between ytterbium-doped Lu2SiO5 (Yb:LSO) and ytterbium-doped Lu2Si2O7 (Yb:LPS) laser crystals

The cross-sections of the transitions F-2(7/2) <-> F-2(5/2) of Yb3+ ion in LPS and LSO laser crystals were compared based on the absorption and fluorescence spectra. In Yb:LPS crystal, pump saturation intensity I-sat of 8.5 kW/cm(2) was obtained, together with minimum pump intensity I-min as low as 0.114 kW/cm(2) and gain cross-section sigma(ext) of 1.7 x 10(-21) cm(2) at 1068 nm. In the case of Yb:LSO crystal, the I-sat of 9.2 kW/cm(2) was achieved, as well as minimum pump intensities I-min of 0.138 kW/cm(2) and gain cross-section sigma(ext) of 1.4 x 10(-21) cm(2) at 1083 nm. It is believed that Yb:LPS can compete with Yb:LSO in quasi-CW and Q-switched operation due to its single crystallographic site characterization and low-cost in growth of Yb:LPS. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.