Change of optical properties of LiNbO₃ fiber single crystals by addition of rare-earth elements

Rare earth doped lithium niobate, LiNbO₃ (LN) have received a renewed attention because of the availability of a broad range of laser sources as the pump sources because their emission wavelength 1.34 μm (Nd ³⁺) and 1.54 μm (Er³⁺) are quite useful in the optical communications. In this study, rare-earth doped LN single crystal with stoichiometric composition fibers were grown by the micro-pulling down (μ-PD) method which is advanced method of crystal growth. The grown crystal fibers were investigated about the homogeneity and change of the photoluminescence (PL) for active ions in the crystals according to influence on adding of rare-earth. The grown fiber crystals were had no crack and sub-grain boundary and good optical properties.