Growth, spectroscopy, and laser operation of mixed vanadate crystals Yb:Lu1-x-yYxLayVO4

We report on the crystal growth, structure, Raman and optical spectroscopy of novel mixed tetragonal vanadates, Yb:Lu1-x-yYxLayVO4. Optical absorption, stimulated-emission, and gain cross-section spectra of Yb3+ are determined for pi and sigma polarizations. For a Yb: Lu0.74Y0.23La0.01VO4 crystal, the absorption bandwidth is > 10 nm, the sigma(SE) is 1.1 x 10(-20) cm(2) at 1013 nm, the gain bandwidth is > 40 nm (for p-polarization), and the radiative lifetime of the F-2(5/2) state is similar to 305 mu s. The Stark splitting of the Yb3+ multiplets is determined using low-temperature (6 K) spectroscopy. A diode-pumped alpha-cut 2 at.% Yb: Lu0.74Y0.23La0.01VO4 laser generated 5.0 W at 1044 nm with a slope efficiency of 43%. The developed materials are promising for sub-100 fs mode-locked lasers at similar to 1 mu m. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement