Growth and optical characterization of Tm3+-doped LiNbO3

Abstract Single LiNbO 3 :Tm 3+ crystals, with variable Tm 3+ content, have been grown by using the Czochralski method. The incorporation of Tm 3+ ions into LiNbO 3 crystals has been determined by using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. At moderated doping levels the active ion incorporation is driven by a linear regime, with a segregation coefficient K eff = 1.19 ± 0.08. Saturation effects have been observed only for highly concentrated crystals. The absorption spectra of Tm 3+ -doped crystals indicate that the melt congruent composition is preserved within the crystals. The Tm 3+ absolute absorption cross sections have been obtained.