Elastic, thermal and spectral properties of Yb3+:CaSrAl2SiO7 laser crystal

Elastic and thermal properties of CaSrAl2SiO7 crystal have been simulated theoretically. Mechanical and thermal properties of the crystal have been found better than those of Ca2Al2SiO7 with the same crystal structure. An Yb3+:CaSrAl2SiO7 single crystal has been grown by the micro-pulling-down method. Detailed spectral properties of the Yb3+:CaSrAl2SiO7 have been investigated. All the results indicate that the Yb3+:CaSrAl2SiO7 is a potential material for Yb3+ laser, especially for tunable and ultrashort lasers. •An Yb3 + :CaSrAl2SiO7 has been grown by the micro-pulling-down method.•Mechanical and thermal properties of CaSrAl2SiO7 are higher than those of Ca2Al2SiO7.•The splitting of the 2F7/2 multiplet in Yb3+:CaSrAl2SiO7 is up to 1002 cm−1.