Optimization of Er, Yb:YCOB for CW laser operation

Abstract
The erbium and ytterbium ion concentrations in the host yttrium calcium oxaborate have been optimized for diode pumped continuous-wave (CW) laser operation using spectroscopic measurements, modeling of energy transfer and population rate equation analysis, resulting in 270 mW of CW output from a diode-pumped Er,Yb:YCOB laser.