Laser and spectroscopic properties of Sr[sub 5](PO[sub 4])[sub 3]F:Yb

Sr[sub 5](PO[sub 4])[sub 3]F (S-FAP) has been investigated as a new Yb-doped laser crystal belonging to the apatite structural family. The spectroscopy of the Yb[sup 3+] ion and the laser properties of the medium have been investigated. The maximum absorption cross section of Yb in S-FAP is 8.6 [times] 10[sup [minus]20] cm[sup 2], and the maximum emission cross section is 7.3 [times] 10[sup [minus]20] cm[sup 2]. The measured emission lifetime of Yb[sup 3+] is 1.26 ms. An Yb:S-FAP laser has been demonstrated with a Ti:sapphire laser pump operating at 899 nm. The Yb:S-FAP laser was measured to have slope efficiencies as high as 71%. The spectroscopy and laser studies are reported, as well as certain thermal, mechanical, and optical properties.