Abstract

An extensive search algorithm has been exercised in order to identify Yb-doped laser crystals that possess the optical properties that are most amenable to pumping with InGaAs laser diode arrays. Numerous considerations arise in this context, including the magnitude of the absorption and emission cross sections and emission lifetimes, the nature of the ²F_7/2 ground state crystal field splitting, the issues confronting the growth of high-quality samples, and the thermal, mechanical, and optical properties of the host medium. Yb-doped fluorapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃F or FAP) has been found to uniquely possess superior characteristics as a diode-pumpable Yb-doped medium, in comparison to the properties offered by 14 alternative crystalline hosts (e.g., Y₃A1₅O₁₂ Y₂SiO₅, LiYF₄, BaY₂F₈, etc.).

© 1992 Optical Society of America