Spectroscopic Properties and Laser Performance of Er super(3+) and Yb super(3+) Co-Doped GdAl sub(3)(BO sub(3)) sub( 4) Crystal

An Er:Yb:GdAl sub(3)(BO sub(3)) sub(4) crystal was grown and room-temperature polarized absorption, emission, and gain spectra were investigated. Fluorescence decay curves of Er super(3+) at 1530 nm and Yb super(3+) at 1040 nm in the crystal were measured. Efficient laser operation of Er:Yb:GdAl sub(3)(BO sub(3)) sub(4) crystal at 1.5-1.6 mum was realized. Quasi-continuous-wave output powers of 1.8 W with slope efficiency of 19% and 0.78 W with slope efficiency of 14% were achieved in diode-pumped c-cut and c-cut and a-cut crystals, respectively. The output spectrum and polarization of Er:Yb:GdAl sub(3)(BO sub(3)) sub(4) laser were also investigated.