Growth and spectral characteristics of a new promising stoichiometric laser crystal: Ca9Yb（VO4）7

A Ca9Yb(VO4)7 crystal with dimensions of Φ23 mm×35 mm was grown successfully by Czochralski method. Its thermal conductivity was 1.06 W/(m?K) at room temperature. The absorption cross-sections at 980 nm were 1.80×10–20 cm2 and 1.28×10–20 cm2 for π- and σ- polarizations, respectively, with a full-width at half-maximum of 34 nm. The crystal had a broad emission at around 1025 nm with a full-width at half-maximum of 67 nm for π- polarization and 70 nm for σ- polarization. The emission cross-sections of the crystal were calculated by using reciprocity method and Füchtbauer-Ladenburg formula. The emission cross-sections at 1025 nm were 3.57×10–20 cm–2 and 1.91×10–20 cm–2 for π- and σ- polarization, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime was 332 μs. The results indicated that the crystal is a promising femtosecond and tunable laser material.