Optical study of single crystals grown by the Czochralski method from Yb3+-doped (Gd1− xY x)2SiO5 solid solution.

Yb3+-doped crystals were grown by the Czochralski method from (Gd0.5Y0.5)2SiO5 melt employing seeds cut out from single crystals of Yb:Gd2SiO5 and Yb:Y2SiO5. XRD analysis revealed that the structure of the solid solution crystals grown is consistent with the structure of the seed, namely C2/c for the Yb:Y2SiO5 seed and P21/c for the Yb:Gd2SiO5 seed. Optical absorption spectra, emission spectra and luminescence decay curves were recorded at 10 K and 300 K. Analysis of gathered spectroscopic data made it possible to evaluate radiative transition rates for the 2F5/2 multiplet of Yb3+ in the two structures and to assess crystal field splitting of multiplets involved in radiative transitions. It has been concluded that transition intensities and relaxation dynamics of Yb3+ in the systems studied are similar but the intensity distribution of emission and absorption bands depends significantly on the system structure. This feature, combined with inhomogeneous broadening of spectral lines, may be advantageous for the tailoring of lasers employing ytterbium-doped crystals for specific applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]