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K.N. Gorbachenya et al.
Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) - Novel 1.5 jam Laser Crystals
K.N. Gorbachenya1, R.V. Deineka1, V.E. Kisel1, A.S. Yasukevich1, A.N. Shekhovtsov2, M.B. Kosmyna2, N.V. Kuleshov1
Center for Optical Materials and Technologies, Belarusian National Technical University, Nezavisimosti Ave., 65, Minsk 220013, Belarus 2Institute for Single Crystals, NAS of Ukraine, Nauki Ave., 60, Kharkov 61072, Ukraine
Received 06.12.2018
Accepted for publication 04.02.2019
Abstract
The search for new crystalline host materials for the usage in lasers emitting in the eye-safe spectral range of 1.5-1.6 ^m is an important task. The aim of this work was to study the growth technique, spectroscopic properties and laser characteristics of new active media - crystals Er3+,Yb3+:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd).
Calcium-yttrium Er3+,Yb3+:Ca3Y2(BO3)4 (CYB) and calcium-gadolinium Er3+,Y2b3+:Ca43Gd2(BO3)4 (CGB) oxoborate crystals co-doped with erbium and ytterbium ions were investigated. Polarized absorption and emission cross-section spectra were determined. The lifetimes of 4I11/2 and 4I13/2 energy levels of Er3+ ions were measured and ytterbium-erbium energy transfer efficiencies were estimated. The calculation of the gain cross-section spectra was performed. By using of Er3+,Yb3+:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) crystals the laser performance was realized, for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The laser characteristics were studied in a quasi-CW (QCW) laser operation.
The wide band with a peak at the wavelength of 976 nm is observed in the absorption spectra of both crystals. This peak coincides with the emission wavelength of the pump laser diodes for Yb-doped active media. The maximum value of absorption cross-section was 1.7 * 10-20 cm2 for polarization E // b for both crystals. The lifetimes ofthe upper laser level 4I13/2 of Er3+ ions were 580 ± 30 ^s and 550 ± 30 ^s for Er,Yb:CYB and Er,Yb:CGB crystals, respectively. The energy transfer efficiencies from ytterbium to erbium ions for an Er,Yb:CYB and Er,Yb:CGB crystals were 94 % and 96 %, respectively. According to gain spectrum of the Er,Yb:CYB crystal the gain band peak is centered at the wavelength of 1530 nm. The maximum QCW output power was 0.5 W with slope efficiency of 13 % regarding to absorbed pump power for an Er,Yb: CYB crystal. The laser beam parameter M2 did not exceed < 1.5.
Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that these crystals are promising active media for lasers emitting in the spectral range of 1.5-1.6 ^m for the usage in laser rangefinder and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy systems, and LIDARs.
Keywords: erbium, ytterbium, borate crystals, spectroscopy, laser performance. DOI: 10.21122/2220-9506-2019-10-1-14-22
Адрес для переписки: К.Н. Горбаченя
Центр оптических материалов и технологий, Белорусский национальный технический университет, пр-т Независимости, 65, г. Минск 220013, Беларусь e-mail: [email protected] Для цитирования:
K.N. Gorbachenya, R.V. Deineka, V.E. Kisel, A.S. Yasukevich, A.N. Shekhovtsov, M.B. Kosmyna, N.V. Kuleshov. Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) - Novel 1.5 цш Laser Crystals. Приборы и методы измерений. 2019. - Т. 10, № 1. С. 14-22. DOI: 10.21122/2220-9506-2019-10-1-14-22
Address for correspondence:
K.N. Gorbachenya
Center for Optical Materials and Technologies, Belarusian National Technical University,
Nezavisimosty Ave., 65, Minsk 220013, Belarus e-mail: [email protected] For citation:
K.N. Gorbachenya, R.V. Deineka, V.E. Kisel, A.S. Yasukevich, A.N. Shekhovtsov, M.B. Kosmyna, N.V. Kuleshov. Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) - Novel 1.5 ^m Laser Crystals. Devices and Methods of Measurements. 2019, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 14-22. DOI: 10.21122/2220-9506-2019-10-1-14-22
K.N. Gorbachenya et al.
Кристаллы Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) - новые
среды для лазеров, излучающих в спектральном диапазоне 1,5 мкм
К.Н. Горбаченя1, Р.В. Дейнека1, В.Э. Кисель1, А.С. Ясюкевич1, А.Н. Шеховцов2, М.Б. Космына2, Н.В. Кулешов1
'Центр оптических материалов и технологий,
Белорусский национальный технический университет,
пр-т Независимости, 65, г. Минск 220013, Беларусь
2Институт монокристаллов Национальной академии наук Украины,
пр-т Науки, 60, г. Харьков 61072, Украина
Поступила 06.12.2018 Принята к печати 04.02.2019
Поиск новых кристаллических матриц для применения в лазерах, излучающих в условно безопасном для глаз спектральном диапазоне 1,5-1,6 мкм, является актуальной задачей. Целью данной работы являлось изучение технологии роста, спектроскопических свойств и генерационных характеристик новых активных сред - кристаллов Ег3+,УЬ3+:Са3КЕ2(Б03)4 (ИЕ=У, Оф.
В качестве исследуемых образцов использовались кристаллы кальций-иттриевого Ег3+,УЬ3+:Са3У2(Б03)4 (СУВ) и кальций-гадолиниевого Ег3+,УЬ3+:Са30^(Б03)4 (CGB) оксоборатов, соактивированных ионами эрбия и иттербия. В результате определены спектры поперечных сечений поглощения и стимулированного испускания в поляризованном свете. Определены времена жизни энергетических уровней 4111/2 и 4113/2 иона эрбия, а также проведена оценка эффективности переноса энергии от ионов иттебрия к ионам эрбия. Выполнен расчет спектров поперечных сечений усиления. Впервые с использованием кристаллов реализована лазерная генерация, изучены генерационные характеристики в квазинепрерывном режиме генерации.
В спектрах поглощения для обоих кристаллов наблюдается полоса с пиком на длине волны 976 нм, что согласуется с длиной волны испускания лазерных диодов, применяемых для накачки активных элементов с ионами УЬ3+. Наибольшее значение поперечного сечения поглощения для обоих кристаллов составило 1,7 х 10-20 см2 для поляризации Е// Ь на длине волны 976 нм. Время жизни верхнего лазерного уровня 4113/2 составило 580 ± 30 мкс и 550 ± 30 мкс для кристаллов Ег,УЬ:СУВ и Er,Yb:CGB соответственно. Эффективность переноса энергии от ионов иттербия к ионам эрбия составила 94 % для кристалла Ег,УЬ:СУВ и 96 % для Er,Yb:CGB. Расчет спектра усиления для кристалла Ег,УЬ:СУВ, показал что максимум полосы усиления находится на длине волны 1530 нм. Максимальное значение выходной мощности в квазинепрерывном режиме генерации составило 0,5 Вт при дифференциальной эффективности по поглощенной мощности накачки 13 % для кристалла Ег,УЬ:СУВ, параметр распространения лазерного пучка М 2 не превышал 1,5.
На основе полученных результатов, можно сделать вывод, что данные кристаллы являются перспективными активными средами для лазеров, излучающих в спектральном диапазоне 1,5-1,6 мкм, для применения в составе систем лазерной дальнометрии, лазерно-искровой эмиссионной спектрометрии и лидаров.
Ключевые слова: эрбий, иттербий, кристаллы боратов, спектроскопия, лазерная генерация.
DOI: 10.21122/2220-9506-2019-10-1-14-22
Адрес для переписки: К.Н. Горбаченя
Центр оптических материалов и технологий, Белорусский национальный технический университет, пр-т Независимости, 65, г. Минск 220013, Беларусь e-mail: [email protected]_
Address for correspondence: K.N. Gorbachenya
Center for Optical Materials and Technologies, Belarusian National Technical University,
Nezavisimosty Ave., 65, Minsk 220013, Belarus
e-mail: [email protected]_
Для цитирования:
K.N. Gorbachenya, R.V. Deineka, V.E. Kisel, A.S. Yasukevich, A.N. Shekhovtsov, M.B. Kosmyna, N.V. Kuleshov. Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) - Novel 1.5 цш Laser Crystals. Приборы и методы измерений. 2019. - Т. 10, № 1. С. 14-22. DOI: 10.21122/2220-9506-2019-10-1-14-22
For citation:
K.N. Gorbachenya, R.V. Deineka, V.E. Kisel, A.S. Yasukevich, A.N. Shekhovtsov, M.B. Kosmyna, N.V. Kuleshov. Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) - Novel 1.5 ^m Laser Crystals. Devices and Methods of Measurements. 2019, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 14-22. DOI: 10.21122/2220-9506-2019-10-1-14-22
Introduction
The laser radiation in the spectral range of 1.51.6 ^m is attractive for application in rangefinders and LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) systems [1] due to its eye-safety. This radiation is strongly absorbed in an eye's cornea and can not damage the sensitive retina. Also due to high transparency of the atmosphere 1.5-1.6 ^m radiation is of great interest for application in LIDAR (Light Identification Detection and Ranging) systems [2]. Nowadays there are many laser sources emitting in this range, lasers based on Er3+ and Yb3+ co-doped materials are ones of the most widespread. The main requirements to erbium, ytterbium co-doped materials for achieving efficient laser operation in the spectral range 1.5-1.6 ^m are the following [3]:
- efficient absorption of pump power by Yb3+ ions and further efficient energy transfer from ytterbium to erbium ions;
- fast non-radiative relaxation from 4I11/2 energy level to 4I13/2 energy level of Er3+ ions for minimization of losses deal with back energy transfer from erbium to ytterbium ions and upconversion transitions from the 4I11/2 energy level to upper ones.
Nowadays REAl2(BO3)4 oxoborate crystals are the leading Er3+,Yb3+ co-doped crystalline laser materials, because they possess necessary spectroscopic properties required for efficient laser operation at near 1.5 ^m [4-7]. However crystals with sizes not more than 20 x 10 x 10 mm3 can be grown only by top seed solution growth technique (TSSG) that is characterized with a long-term (about a month) growth period [8].
In the contrast to Er,Yb:REAl2(BO3)4 crystals, homogeneous and free of impurity phases and scattering centers Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 ones with dimensions up to 0 20 x 80 mm3 can be grown by the well managed Czochralski method. To date several articles devoted to the crystal growth and spectroscopy investigation of Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 crystals were published. Moreover, polarized absorption and emission cross-section spectra, energy transfer efficiency as well as laser performance was not reported. In this paper we demonstrate laser related spectroscopy and, for the first time to our knowledge, laser operation of Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 crystals.
Experimental details
Crystal growth
compounds were used as reagents for solid state synthesis of the charge. The stoichiometric mixture of the initial reagents was placed into a platinum crucible. The mixture was heated at the rate of 50 °C/h to 110 °C, 230 °C, 450 °C and 750 °C and kept for 10 h at each temperature. The compound formation was carried out according to reaction:
3CaCO3 + 0.88RE2O3 + 0.02Er2O3 + 0.1Yb2O3 +
+ 2B2°3 - Ca3RE1,6Yba2EraQ4(BO3)4 + 3CO2t.
The obtained material was finely ground. The charge was placed in Ir crucible for crystal growth. Er,Yb co-doped Ca3RE2(BO3)4 crystals were grown by the Czochralski method using an automated and equipped with a weight control system «Kristall 3M» puller. The growth process was carried out in inert (argon) atmosphere. The pulling and rotation rates were 1.5 mm/h and 20 rpm, respectively. The axial temperature gradient at the crystal-melt interface was 50 °C/cm. The crystals were grown along the crystallographic axis [001]. No impurity phases and gas bubble inclusions were detected [9]. Boules of Er,Yb:Ca3Re2(BO3)4 (Re = Y, Gd) crystals of high optical quality were produced with 20 mm in the diameter and 80 mm in the length (Figure 1).
b
Figure 1 - The Er,Yb:Ca3Y2(BO3)4 (a) and Er,Yb:Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 (b) crystals
Spectroscopic technique
Two polished cubes cut from
and
CaCO3 (99.99 %),RE2O3(99.99 %) (RE=Y, Gd), Er(2 at.%),Yb(10 at.%):Ca3Y2(BO3)4 Er2O3(99.99 %), Yb2O3(99.99 %) and B2O3 (99.95 %) Er(2 at.%),Yb(10 at.%):Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 crystals with
а
dimensions of 5 * 5 * 5 mm3 oriented along the a, b and c crystallographic axes were used to record polarized absorption spectra. The room-temperature polarized absorption spectra were recorded with Varian Cary 5000 UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer in the wavelength ranges from 850 to 1100 nm and 1400-1650 nm.
Lifetime measurements were performed using optical parametric oscillator based on the P-Ba2B2O4 crystal and pumped by the third harmonic of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The luminescence radiation was detected at 1.5 pm using a monochromator, fast InGaAs photodiode and 500 MHz digital oscilloscope. To prevent reabsorption caused by significant overlap of the absorption and emission bands, measurements of Yb3+ luminescence kinetics were performed using with a fine powder of the crystals immersed in glycerin [11].
The energy transfer efficiency was measured by estimation of the 2F5/2 level lifetime shortening in Er,Yb-codoped crystals and Yb-single doped crystal according to the formula (1) [12]:
п = k / t—1 = t (1/t — 1/t0),
(i)
where k is the energy transfer rate; t is the ytterbium 2F5/2 level lifetime in Er,Yb-codoped crystal; t0 is the ytterbium 2F5/2 level lifetime in Yb single-doped crystal.
The stimulated emission-cross section spectra in the spectral range 1450-1650 nm were calculated by the integral reciprocity method (2) [13] using the calculated absorption cross-section spectra and radiative lifetime of 4I13/2 energy level of Er3+ ions presented in [14]:
w=
3 exp(— hcj (kT X))
8nn2Tr^ J XX, (X) exp(— hc/ (kT X))dX
. (X) (2)
where t , is the radiative lifetime of an active
raa
center (Er3+); c is the speed of light in vacuum; a and Y denote light polarization; h and k are the Planck's and Boltzman's constants, respectively; T is a host crystal temperature; n is the refractive index of the crystal and cabs is the ground state absorption cross-section.
The gain cross-section spectra g(^) were calculated for different inversion parameters P by using the following equation (3):
where P = Nex/ Ntot is the ratio of the population of excited Er3+ ions manifold to the total erbium ions concentration.
Setup for laser experiments
The laser performance ofthe Er,Yb: Ca3Re2(BO3)4 (Re=Y,Gd) crystals was investigated in Z-shaped cavity (Figure 2). The 2-mm-thick antireflection coated for both pump and lasing wavelengths a-cut Er(2 at.%),Yb(10 at.%):Ca3Re2(BO3)4 crystal was wrapped in indium foil for good thermal contact and mounted between two copper slabs with the hole in the center to permit passing of pump and laser beams. The temperature of an active element was kept at 20 °C. As a pump source a 976 nm fibercoupled laser diode (0 105 pm, NA = 0.22) was used. To minimize thermal effects inside the crystal the quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode of laser diode operation with a duty cycle of10 % was chosen.After passing lens system the pump beam was focused into ~ 100 pm spot (1/e2 intensity) inside the crystal. The cavity-mode diameter at the active element was close to the pump beam waist. Three output couplers (OC's) with different transmittances were used during laser experiments. The experimental setup is shown in Figure 2.
№)=p - a-PK^x
(3)
Figure 2 - Experimental setup for laser experiments
Result and discussion
Spectroscopy
The room-temperature polarized absorption cross-section spectra of the Er,Yb:Ca3Y2(BO3)4 (CYB) and Er,Yb:Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 (CGB) crystals in the spectral range of 850-1100 nm are shown in Figures 3a and 3b, respectively. The peak absorption cross-sections around 976 nm (the wavelength is close to emission wavelengths of commercial InGaAs laser diodes) corresponding to the transitions of 2F7/2^2F5/2 of Yb3+ ions and 4I15/2^4I11/2 of Er3+ ions, for both crystals is around 1.7 x 10-20 cm2 for polarization E // b. Thus, the pump beam polarization corresponded to the b axis of the crystal will be preferable.
The broad and smooth absorption corresponding to transition of 4I13/2—>4I15/2 of Er3+ ions is observed in the spectral range of 14001650 nm. The maximum absorption cross-section for Er,Yb:CYB crystal in the spectral region of 1400-1650 nm does not exceed 0.6 x 10-20 cm2 at the wavelength of 1530 nm (Figure 4).
band (Figure 5) for both crystals, and the luminescence
1,2-
U 0,4-
—Ella i
—El lb
—Elle
<Tabs@976(E//b)=1.72x10"cm' I
950 1000 1050
Wavelength (nm)
£ 1,6-
0,8-
= 0,4-
0,0
—Ella Л
—El lb
—Elle
aabs@976(E//b)=1.75x1020cm2 I V
850 900 950 1000 1050 1100
Wavelength (nm)
b
Figure 3 - Polarized absorption cross-section spectra of Er,Yb:CYB (a) and Er,Yb:CGB (b) crystals at room temperature
Figure 4 - Polarized absorption cross-section spectra of Er,Yb:Ca3Y2(BO3)4 crystal in the spectral region of 14001650 nm
The decay curves of 1.5 ^m emission (4I, „,„—44I
transition of Er3
13/2 15/2
ions) were single exponential
decay times of the 4I13/2 energy level of Er3+ were measured to be about 580 ± 30 ^s and 550 ± 30 ^s for Er,Yb:CYB and Er,Yb:CGB crystals, respectively. Taking into account, that radiative lifetimes calculated from the Judd-Offelt analysis is 2.41 ms for Er,Yb:CYB crystal and 1.98 ms for Er,Yb:CGB crystal [13] the luminescence quantum yields of the 4I13/2 energy level was estimated to be 24 % and 28 % for Er,Yb:CYB and Er,Yb:CGB crystals, respectively. Comparatively low luminescence quantum yields are explained by the high phonon energy of the oxoborate crystals, which result in a high non-radiative 4I13/2-4I15/2 transition probability. However, it should be mentioned, that obtained values is near three times higher to those obtained for Er,Yb:REAl2(BO3)4 crystals (10 %) [5].
0,0005 0,0010 0,0015 0,0020 Time (s)
0,0067-
0,0003-
0,0005
0,0010 0,0015 Time (s)
b
0,0020
0,0025
Figure 5 - Kinetics of luminescence Er,Yb:CYB (a) and Er,Yb:CGB (b) crystals
decay of
The lifetime of the 4I11/2 level of Er3+
ions was
estimated in CYB and CGB crystals doped only Er3+ ions, because in Er-Yb co-doped crystals the process of back energy transfer from erbium to ytterbium distorts the measured lifetime of the level 4I1 In erbium media, nonradiative relaxation to the 4I
11/2'
level is the dominant process of emptying the 4I level. Therefore, the time of emptying the 4I11/2 level
11/2
а
а
corresponds to the time of filling the 4I13/2 level. Consequently, the task of estimating the lifetime of the 4I11/2 level of the Er3+ ion in Er:CYB and Er:CGB crystals was to determine the 4I13/2 energy level rising time. The lifetime of the 4I11/2 energy level in Er:CYB and Er:CGB crystals did not exceed 120 ns (Figure 6) (for comparison, in phosphate glass with Er3+ ions it is 1-3 ps [15, 16]). The short lifetime of 4I11/2 energy level enables fast non-radiative relaxation from 4I11/2 energy level to 4I13/2 energy level of Er3+ that leads to minimization of losses dealt with back energy transfer from erbium to ytterbium ions and up-conversion transitions from to 4I11/2 energy level to upper ones.
should be mentioned that energy transfer efficiencies in Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 crystals are similar to those in REAl2(BO3)4 oxoborate crystals [4, 5] and Er and Yb co-doped glass and more efficient than in vanadates and tungstates [17, 18].
20 40 60 SO 100
Content of ytterbium powder, %
Figure 6 - The rising part of luminescence kinetics curve from 4I13/2 energy level of Er3+ in the region of about 1.5 pm
The dependences of obtained lifetimes of 2F5/2 energy level on different weight content of Yb(1 at.%):CYB and Yb(1 at.%):CGB crystalline powders in glycerin suspension are presented in Figure 7. With the decrease in weight content of crystalline powder in suspension the measured lifetimes also decreased. After considerable dilution of the powders and thus elimination of selftrapping effect the ytterbium lifetimes in Yb:CYB and Yb:CGB crystals were determined to be 680 ± 30 and 700 ± 30 ps, respectively. The 2F5/2 energy level lifetimes were measured to be 40 ± 2 ps in Er(2 at.%),Yb(10 at.%):CYB crystal and 30 ± 2 ps for Er(2 at.%),Yb(10 at.%):CGB crystal.
By using formula (1) the energy transfer efficiency in the Er:Yb:CYB crystal doped with 2 at.% Er3+ and 10 at.% Yb3+ was calculated to be about 94 %. Very close efficiency of 96 % was obtained for Er:Yb:CGB crystal. These results suggest that the almost all of absorbed energy can be efficiently transferred from 2F5/2 energy level of Yb3+ ions to the 4I11/2 energy level of Er3+ ions by nonradiative resonant energy-transfer process. It also
b
Figure 7 - The 2F5/2 energy level lifetimes of Yb(1 at.%):CYB (a) and Yb(1 at.%):CGB (b) crystalline powder in glycerin
The stimulated emission cross-section spectra of Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 crystals in the spectral range of 1400-1650 nm are shown in Figure 8. The highest stimulated emission cross-sections of both crystals was found to be about 1.65 * 10-20 cm2 at 1530 nm for polarization E// b. One can also note the low anisotropy of stimulated emission for Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 crystals.
Taking into account the similarity of absorption and emission spectra of both crystals the gain cross-section spectra g(^) were calculated only for Er,Yb:CYB crystal for E// b polarization. The gain cross-section spectra of Er,Yb:CYB crystal for different inversion parameters P from 0.1 to 1 in the spectral range of 1400-1650 nm are shown in Figure 9. In accordance with presented spectra the maximum of gain band is centered at 1530 nm under P > 0.3, which causes the spectral position of laser emission.
а
with slope efficiency of 13 % was obtained for OC with transmittance of 1.3 % when absorbed pump power was 6.8 W. The laser threshold was about 2.5 W of absorbed pump power. The laser radiation was linearly polarized (E // b).
Figure 10 - Input-output characteristics of Er,Yb:CYB laser
■e o,6-
л
s
m
ш 0,4-
b
Figure 8 - The stimulated emission cross-section spectra of Er,Yb:CYB (a) and Er,Yb:CGB (b) crystals
Ellb
1530 nm
1540 1560
Wavelength (nm)
Figure 11 - Laser output spectrum
Input-output characteristics of QCW Er,Yb:CGB laser are shown in Figure 12. The similar slope efficiencies with slightly lower output powers and higher thresholds were obtained in this case. The weak dependence of the slope efficiency from the OC's transmittance evidences low passive losses of the laser resonator.
Figure 9 - The E// b gain cross-section spectra of the 4I13/2^4I15/2 transition of Er3+ ions in Er,Yb:CYB crystals in the spectral range of 1400-1650 nm
Laser performance of Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 crystals
Input-output characteristics and laser output spectrum of QCW Er,Yb:CYB diode-pumped lasers are plotted in Figure 10 and Figure 11 respectively. The maximal peak output power of 0.5 W at 1530 nm
■ T =1.3%, slope 12%
• T c=3.5%, slope 12%
* T c=5.5%, slope 8%
У
3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 Absorbed pump power (W)
Figure 12 - Input-output characteristics of Er,Yb:CGB laser
а
The maximal peak output power of 0.4 W was obtained at 1530 nm, slope efficiency was estimated to be 12 % for 1.3 % OC. It should be mentioned that the spatial profile of the output beam was TEM00 mode with M2 < 1.5 during all laser experiments.
Conclusions
Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) crystals co-doped with Er and Yb ions were grown by Czochralski technique. The detailed investigation ofthe spectral-luminescent properties of the Er,Yb:Ca3RE2(BO3)4 (RE=Y, Gd) crystals were performed. Diode-pumped QCW laser operation of the Er:Yb:CYB and Er,Yb:CGB crystals was demonstrated, for the first time to our best knowledge. Maximal peak output power of 0.5 W with slope efficiency of 13 % was achieved at 1530 nm by using of Er,Yb:CYB crystal. The obtained characteristics indicate the promise of Er, Yb:CYB and Er, Yb:CGB crystals usage as active media of pulsed-pumped lasers emitting in the spectral range 1.5-1.6 ^m for application in laser rangefinder, LIBS and LIDAR systems.
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