Spectroscopic, Thermal, and Laser Properties of Yb:CaNb $_{2}$ O $_{6}$ Crystal

In this paper, we report the room temperature spectroscopic and thermal properties and continuous-wave (CW) laser operation of a new Yb:CaNb₂O₆ crystal. The peak absorption cross section for the E||a polarization is 0.97 times 10^-20 cm² with a full-width at half-maximum of 28 nm at 975 nm. The stimulated emission cross section is 1.19 times 10^-20 cm² at 1062 nm. The thermal conductivities at room temperature are 5.40, 5.15, and 6.05 Wm^-1K^-1 along the a, b-, and c-axis, respectively. The fracture strength of Yb:CaNb₂O₆ single crystal is 315 MPa. The properties of Yb:CaNb₂O₆ crystal were compared with those of typical Yb-doped materials. A CW output power of 801 mW at 1062 nm was obtained with a slope efficiency of 19% by use of diode pumping.