Structure and optical damage resistance of In:Yb:Er:LiNbO3 crystals

A series of In:Yb:Er:LiNbO₃ crystals have been grown. The UV‐Vis absorption spectra and Infrared (IR) transmission spectra were measured and discussed in terms of the spectroscopic characterizations and the defect structure of the In:Yb:Er:LiNbO₃ crystals. The optical damage resistance was characterized by the transmitted beam pattern distortion method. The optical damage resistance of In (3.0mol %):Yb:Er:LiNbO₃ crystal is one order of magnitude higher than that of other crystal. The dependence of the optical damage resistance on the defect structure was studied. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)