YLiF4

YLF laser crystal is the abbreviation for yttrium lithium fluoride (YLiF4). YLF laser crystal is birefringent, which eliminates thermally induced depolarization loss. Pure YLF crystals are transparent within the spectrum band of 0.12 – 7.5 µm, photo-, thermal- and radiation-resistant. The YLF crystals have low values of nonlinear refraction index and thermos optical constants. YLF has good optical properties with high transparency throughout the emission spectrum of the conventional sources used for pumping solid-state lasers. YLF does not show UV damage, and it has lower non-radiative decay rates for processes occurring between electronic levels participating in the pumping and lasing process. YLF is also a good medium for mode locking at 1047 or 1053 nm and 1.313 µm as a result of its natural birefringence and low thermal lensing. Mode-locked pulses from YLF are shorter thanks to its broader linewidth, both for the 1047/1053-nm and 1.313-µm emission peaks. Yttrium Lithium Fluoride (YLF) is a crystalline material used in optics and solid-state single crystal laser rods. YLF is typically doped with materials such as neodymium, holmium, erbium and is generally immediately available in most volumes.