Thermooptic Properties of KYbхY1–x(WO4)2 Laser Crystals

Abstract

Thermo-optic coefficients of monoclinic KYb_xY_1–x(WO₄)₂ (х = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 и 1.0) crystals for E//Np, E//Nm и E//Ng light polarizations at wavelength of 1.06 μm were studied using laser beam deviation technique for a medium with a linear temperature gradient. KYb_xY_1–x(WO₄)₂ crystals were grown by the modified Czochralski method using a dynamic growth regime and selection of the required temperature gradient at the crystallisation front. The coefficients dn/dT obtained for all light polarizations are negative, and their absolute values decrease with increasing coefficient x. It is shown that the coefficients dni/dT (i = p, m, g) for KYb_xY_1–x (WO₄)² crystals depend linearly on their stoichiometry coefficient x.