Developments of new laser crystals doped with Yb ions

In the development of laser crystal suitable for the ultra high peak power CPA (Chirped Pulse Amplification) laser system with a compact size, fluoride YLF laser crystals doped with Yb3+ rare earth ion have been grown by a vertical Bridgman method. To prevent opaque crystal growth, one of growth materials, YF3 and PbF2 as a scavenger were mixed and heated twice in the vacuum furnace to get rid of YOF. We also adjusted the temperature gradient at the crystal growth surface and a mixing rate of the initial materials of LiF and YF3. As a result, Yb doped YLF crystal was successfully grown with the optimum temperature gradient of 30 - 40degC/cm, and the rate of 60:40 for LiF:YF3 in mol-%. (author)