Growth, thermal and spectral properties of Er3+-doped and Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Li3Ba2La3(WO4)8 crystals.

This paper reports the growth and spectral properties of Er(3+)-doped and Er(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped Li(3)Ba(2)La(3)(WO(4))(8) crystals. The Er(3+): Li(3)Ba(2)La(3)(WO(4))(8) crystal with dimensions of 56 mm × 28 mm × 9 mm and Er(3+)/Yb(3+): Li(3)Ba(2)La(3)(WO(4))(8) crystal with dimensions of 52 mm × 24 mm × 8 mm were obtained by the top-seeded solution growth (TSSG) method. Thermal expansion coefficients and thermal conductivity of both crystals were measured. The spectroscopic characterizations of both crystals were investigated. The spectroscopic analysis reveals that the Er(3+)/Yb(3+): Li(3)Ba(2)La(3)(WO(4))(8) crystal has much better optical properties than the Er(3+): Li(3)Ba(2)La(3)(WO(4))(8) crystal, thus it may become a potential candidate for solid-state laser gain medium material.