Growth and spectroscopic properties of rare-earth doped YAl3(BO3)4 single crystals

A recent trend for UV-visible lasers is based on rare-earth doped crystals with self-frequency doubling (SFD). According to its absorption, luminescence, and nonlinear optical properties, the Huntite structured YAB (YAl3(BO3)4) is a prospective representative of such materials. Efficient laser emission and SFD have already been demonstrated for Nd:YAB and Yb:YAB crystals. Er, Yb, and Dy doped YAB crystals were grown by the top-seeded flux technique. Narrow absorption lines at 9 K in the Er:YAB spectra proved the good crystal quality and the uniform Er incorporation. Weak satellite lines indicated Er interactions either with other Er ions or crystal defects at high Er concentrations. The good crystal quality was confirmed by the long (1.11 ms) luminescence lifetime at RT in the Yb:YAB crystals. The Yb-transitions were broadened by strong coupling with lattice vibrations. The first growth and spectroscopic investigation of Dy:YAB were reported. Concentration dependent lifetime of the Dy luminescence was observed.