Refractive index, thermal, spectroscopic and 1.55 μm laser properties of an Er:Yb:Lu2Si2O7 crystal.

Refractive indexes and thermal conductivities at room temperature of an Er:Yb:Lu 2 Si 2 O 7 crystal were measured to be 1.745, 1.730, 1.695 around 1550 nm and 9.08, 6.98, 7.29 W m−1K−1 along three optical indicatrix X , Y , Z axes, respectively. Room-temperature polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence decay curves and unpolarized up-conversion fluorescence spectrum of the crystal were investigated. Some spectroscopic parameters related to the 1.55 μm laser operation were calculated. End-pumped by a 975 nm laser diode, a 1565 nm continuous-wave laser with maximum output power of 2.18 W and slope efficiency of 21.8% was realized in an Er:Yb:Lu 2 Si 2 O 7 crystal. • The refractive index, thermal and spectroscopic properties of an Er:Yb:LPS crystal were investigated in detail. • Polarized spectra in 1400–1680 nm were investigated when considering the contribution of the magnetic dipole transition. • A 1565 nm continuous-wave laser with maximum output power of 2.18 W and slope efficiency of 21.8% was realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]