Abstract: In this paper, 4.2% ytterbium-doped calcium niobium gallium garnet (Yb∶Ca₃(NbGa)₅O₁₂) crystals with diameter of 2 inch (1 inch=2.54 cm) were grown by Bridgman method. The obtained crystals were intact and free of visible defects. Crystal structure was determine by XRD, which reveals that the crystal belongs to the cubic crystal system with lattice parameters a=b=c=12.493 Å. The crystals were oriented and cut to obtain some (420) plane wafers with dimensions of 10 mm×10 mm×1 mm. These wafers were double-side polished to obtain the final samples. The performance of the samples was characterized through X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, and fluorescence spectroscope. The results show that the rocking curve of the crystal has a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 43″, and the transmittance reaches 80% in the near-infrared wavelength range. At 935 nm, FWHM of the absorption peak is 47.15 nm and absorption cross-section is 1.53×10^-20 cm². When excited with a 980 nm laser, an emission peak was observed at 1 031 nm, corresponding to the transition of Yb³⁺ from the excited state ²F_5/2 to the ground state ²F_7/2.

Key words: Yb∶Ca₃(NbGa)₅O₁₂, Bridgman method, transmittance, FWHM of absorption peak, excitation-emission spectrum