Comparative spectroscopic and laser properties of Yb3+-doped CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2 single crystals
Résumé
We present the spectroscopic properties and room-temperature cw tunable laser operation of Yb3+-doped CaF2, SrF2 and BaF2 single crystals grown and studied in the same conditions. Emission cross sections, lifetimes, laser thresholds, laser slope efficiencies and laser wavelength tuning ranges are compared. It appears that Yb3+- doped BaF2 might be more promising for diode-pumped high power laser operation.