Yb3+-doped Ba2NaNb5O15 (BNN) growth, characterization and spectroscopy

Abstract Low-temperature spectroscopy of host barium sodium niobate – Ba 2 NaNb 5 O 15 (BNN) crystal fibers doped with Yb 3+ ion has been studied. The fibers were grown by the laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) technique, and were characterized among others by X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and optical microscopy. The results showed very homogeneous and defect-free materials with pseudotetragonal structure appropriate for optical applications. Absorption and emission spectroscopic studies at low temperature were used to determine the energy-level diagram of the Yb 3+ ion in host BNN.