Spectroscopic properties and continuous-wave laser performance of Yb:Gd2SrAl2O7 crystal

In this paper, the crystal growth, spectral properties, and laser performance of 5 at.% Yb doped Gd₂SrAl₂O₇ (Yb:GSAO) crystal were reported. The peak absorption cross-section is 5.22 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² at 979 nm and the peak stimulated emission cross section calculated by Füchtbauer-Ladenburg (FL) method is 1.22 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² at 1062 nm for the π polarization. Efficient continuous-wave (cw) laser action was demonstrated in the range of 1060.2–1069.5 nm with a c-cut crystal sample end pumped by a 980 nm laser diode, generating a maximum output power of 7.345 W with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 47.5% and a slope efficiency of 53.7%. The results indicate that Yb:GSAO is a good Yb laser material.