Luminescence and Thermal Properties of Er:GSGG and Yb,Er:GSGG Laser Crystals

Er^(3+)-doped and Yb^(3+)/Er^(3+) co-doped Gd_(3)Sc_(2)Ga_(3)O_(12) (abbreviated as Er:GSGG and Yb,Er:GSGG,respectively)laser crystals are investigated by using a combination of spectroscopic measurements and thermal characterizations.An absorption peak of Yb,Er:GSGG crystal shifts to 970nm and its absorption band broadens obviously,which makes the crystal suitable for pumping by a 970nm laser diode (LD).This crystal also exhibits a shorter lifetime of a lower laser level,a larger emission cross section and higher thermal conductivity than those of Er:GSGG.All these factors suggest that Yb^(3+)/Er^(3+) co-doping has a positive effect on improving the spectroscopic and thermal performances in GSGG based laser crystals,and imply that double-doped Yb,Er:GSGG crystal is a potential candidate as an excellent LD pumped 2.79 μm laser material.