Synthesis, growth, structure and characterization of the new laser host crystal Sr3Y2(BO3)4

A compound of Sr3Y2(BO3)4 was synthesized by the solid-state reaction method, and single crystal Sr3Y2(BO3)4 was grown from a melt close to the stoichiometric by the Czochralski method. The structure of Sr3Y2(BO3)4, determined by single crystal x-ray analysis, is orthorhombic with space group Pnma and lattice parameters a = 7.4062(3) Å, b = 16.0030(7) Å, c = 8.7130(4) Å, and Z = 4. The spectral properties of Yb:Sr3Y2(BO3)4 crystals at room temperature and 10 K are described.