Growth, thermal, spectroscopy and ∼2.7 μm multiwavelength laser output of Er:GYAP crystal

We demonstrate the growth, thermal, spectroscopy and laser performance of a Er3+ doped Gd0.1Y0.9AlO3 (Er:GYAP) disorder crystal grown by Czochralski method. The crystal with space group Pbnm and lattice parameters of =0.5185 nm, =0.5327 nm, =0.7378 nm, α=β=γ=90° and =0.203784 nm3 are obtained by fitting powder X-ray diffraction data. The Mohr’s hardnesses along three axes are 6.94, 7.27, and 7.44. The thermal expansion coefficient of axis is 4.20 × 10–6 K–1 and the density is 5.88 g/cm3. The thermal conductivities are characterized as =6.24, =5.57, and =6.83 W/(m·K). Meanwhile, the refractive index, absorption and emission spectra in triaxial directions are determined. Besides, level lifetimes of 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 are 0.86 and 2.83 ms. Finally, the ∼2.7 μm multiwavelength laser outputs are observed with maximum average power of 628 mW and beam quality factors / of 1.42/1.45. The results prove that the Er:GYAP crystal is a promising gain medium for generating mid-infrared lasers.