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A novel laser material BaYLuF8 (BYLF), doped with 12 at% of Tm3+, has been grown and optically investigated, in order to evaluate its potential performances as a 2 µm laser. The BYLF crystal is interesting mainly because indications are that the mixed crystal would be sturdier than BaY2F8 (BYF). The addition of lutetium would improve the thermo-mechanical properties of the host. Absorption, fluorescence and lifetime measurements have been performed in the temperature range 10–300 K focusing on the 3H4 and 3F4 manifolds, those involved in the laser scheme at 2 µm. The Stark sublevels structure of Tm3+ up to the 1D2 manifold has been figured out. Diode-pumped CW laser emission at 2 µm has been achieved obtaining a slope efficiency of about 28% with respect to the absorbed power, by pumping along the Z-axis. A maximum output power of 240 mW was achieved by pumping along the favourable Y-axis, with an incident power of about 800 mW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]