Crystal growth,structure and laser performance of a new Yb^(3+):KBaY(MoO_(4))_(3) crystal

A Yb^(3+):KBaY(MoO_(4))_(3)(Yb^(3+):KBYM)crystal with dimensions of 51 mm×27 mm × 10 mm was successfully grown by the TSSG method.The characteristics of the crystal structure and probability of good optical properties were analyzed.The absorption and emission spectra of Yb^(3+):KBYM crystal exhibit broadened bands,with the maximum absorption cross-sections of 1.17 × 10^(-20),1.44×10^(-20) and 1.37 × 10^(-20) cm^(2) at976 nm for X-,Y-and Z-polarizations,respectively.The corresponding absorption FWHMs are as wide as 77,46 and 55 nm.The well-known re-absorption effect of Yb^(3+) in the crystal is discussed.Two methods,the Fiichtbauer-Ladenburg method(FL)and reciprocity method(RM)were adopted to compute the emission cross-sections and results show a certain discrepancy but the errors are allowable.The laser potentiality of the Yb^(3+):KBYM crystal was also evaluated by calculations of minimum inversion fractionβmin,saturation pump intensity Isat,the minimum pump intensity Imin and gain cross-sections spectra.Laser experiment was carried out and Watt-level continuous wave laser has been realized.Results indicate that the Yb^(3+):KBYM crystal with a disordered structure may be a potential laser media that can be used to generate tunable and ultrashort pulse laser emissions with high quality beam.