Abstract: As a kind of excellent host material for solid-state lasers, GdScO₃ crystal has attracted more and more attention. In this paper, Yb,Ho∶GdScO₃ crystal with the size of ø30 mm×50 mm was firstly grown by Czochralski growth method. The powder diffraction data were obtained by X-ray diffraction, and the structure parameters were fitted by GSAS software. Raman spectra were measured. In the range of 100 to 700 cm^-1, there are 18 Raman vibration peaks were observed. The spectral properties including transmission and emission of Yb,Ho∶GdScO₃ crystal were characterized. The center of the strongest absorption band is at 975 nm, which comes from the transition of Yb³⁺∶²F_7/2→²F_5/2. The absorption cross section of Yb³⁺ were calculated and the values at 940, 975 nm are 0.31×10^-20 and 0.42×10^-20 cm². The transition intensity parameter (Ω_t) of Ho³⁺ was calculated by Judd-Ofelt theory, Ω₄/Ω₆ is 2.04. And spectral parameters such as radiation transition probability, energy level lifetime and fluorescence branching ratio were calculated. The results show that Yb,Ho∶GdScO₃ is a promising candidate material for 2~3 μm laser crystals because of its excellent luminescence properties.

Key words: 2~3 μm laser, Yb,Ho∶GdScO₃ crystal, crystal growth, optical property, Judd-Ofelt theory