Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)

Temperature-dependent spectroscopy of Yb:YLF and prospects for laser cooling

Stefan Püschel, Sascha Kalusniak, Christian Kränkel, Hiroki Tanaka

Published Jun 21, 2021• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Ytterbium-doped materials are promising for high power solid-state lasers as well as laser cooling [1] . Cooling of Yb-doped fluoride crystals, particularly LiYF 4 (YLF), has been very successful, achieving cooling of high purity Yb:YLF crystals to below 100 K [2] . Here, we revisit the detailed temperature-dependent spectroscopy of Yb:YLF in order to fully reveal its potential as a laser cooling medium and to address requirements to achieve the liquid nitrogen temperature at 77 K.

DOI
10.1109/cleo/europe-eqec52157.2021.9542283

Related papers

Laser Cooling of an Yb3+-doped Cubic KY3F10 Single Crystal

Stefan Püschel, Christian Kränkel, Hiroki Tanaka

We present temperature-dependent spectroscopy of cubic Yb:KY3F10 and report on its first laser cooling. In comparison with Yb:YLF, Yb:KY3F10 has an intrinsically higher cooling potential at low temperatures so suited for optical refrigerators.

Optica Advanced Photonics Congress•Jan 1, 2022•0 citations

Temperature-dependent radiative lifetime of Yb:YLF: refined cross sections and potential for laser cooling

Stefan Püschel, Sascha Kalusniak, Christian Kränkel +1 more

(Yb:YLF) for the application of laser cooling. Time-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy reveals a temperature dependence of the radiative lifetime which we explain by the Boltzmann distribution of excited ions in the upper Stark levels. The emission cross sections of Yb:YLF from 17 K to 440 K are revised using the temperature-dependent radiative lifetimes from fluorescence spectra. We provide fit equations for the peak values of important transitions as a function of temperature, which is also useful for the design of Yb:YLF laser oscillators and amplifiers operated at cryogenic temperatures. Based on our spectroscopic data, we show the prerequisite crystal purity to achieve laser cooling below liquid nitrogen temperatures.

Optics Express•Mar 18, 2021•42 citations

Local laser cooling of Yb:YLF to 110 K

Denis V. Seletskiy, Seth D. Melgaard, Richard I. Epstein +3 more

Minimum achievable temperature of ~110 K is measured in a 5% doped Yb:YLF crystal at λ = 1020 nm, corresponding to E4-E5 resonance of Stark manifold. This measurement is in excellent agreement with the laser cooling model and was made possible by employing a novel and sensitive implementation of differential luminescence thermometry using balanced photo-detectors.

Optics Express•Sep 1, 2011•65 citations

High Sensitivity Optical Refrigeration Spectroscopy: Local Cooling of Yb:YLF Crystal to 110 K

Seth D. Melgaard, Denis V. Seletskiy, Alberto Di Lieto +2 more

Utilizing a novel implementation of differential luminescence thermometry we accurately measure laser cooling efficiency spectra of solids. Cooling to 110K is shown in Yb:YLF at the E4-E5 Stark manifold resonance as predicted by theory.

•Jan 1, 2011•2 citations

Power cooling and low-temperature spectroscopy of ytterbium doped silica

Brian Topper, Stefan Kühn, Alexander Neumann +10 more

We laser cooled ytterbium doped silica to 255 K. Temperature-dependent spectroscopy measurements reveal cooling to 150 K is possible. We also report the observation of site-selective excitation in Yb, Al co-doped silica.

•Jan 1, 2023•0 citations

Demonstration of an Optical Cryocooler

Denis V. Seletskiy, Seth D. Melgaard, Stefano Bigotta +4 more

We present the first observation of cryogenic operation in an all-solid-state refrigerator. A temperature drop of ~150 K is demonstrated in a 0.2 cm3 rare-earth doped fluoride crystal (Yb:YLF) using anti-Stokes fluorescence, at a record cooling power of 110 mW. Lowest electronic transition within Yb3+ Stark manifold along with cavity enhanced absorption and thermal load management were key in achieving this operation. We show that temperatures down to 100 K are achievable in this arrangement given sufficient absorbed laser power at 1020 nm.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 2009•11 citations
Ytterbium-doped materials are promising for high power solid-state lasers as well as laser cooling [1] . Cooling of Yb-doped fluoride crystals, particularly LiYF 4 (YLF), has been very successful, achieving cooling of high purity Yb:YLF crystals to below 100 K [2] . Here, we revisit the detailed temperature-dependent spectroscopy of Yb:YLF in order to fully reveal its potential as a laser cooling medium and to address requirements to achieve the liquid nitrogen temperature at 77 K.
(Yb:YLF) for the application of laser cooling. Time-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy reveals a temperature dependence of the radiative lifetime which we explain by the Boltzmann distribution of excited ions in the upper Stark levels. The emission cross sections of Yb:YLF from 17 K to 440 K are revised using the temperature-dependent radiative lifetimes from fluorescence spectra. We provide fit equations for the peak values of important transitions as a function of temperature, which is also useful for the design of Yb:YLF laser oscillators and amplifiers operated at cryogenic temperatures. Based on our spectroscopic data, we show the prerequisite crystal purity to achieve laser cooling below liquid nitrogen temperatures.
We present the first observation of cryogenic operation in an all-solid-state refrigerator. A temperature drop of ~150 K is demonstrated in a 0.2 cm3 rare-earth doped fluoride crystal (Yb:YLF) using anti-Stokes fluorescence, at a record cooling power of 110 mW. Lowest electronic transition within Yb3+ Stark manifold along with cavity enhanced absorption and thermal load management were key in achieving this operation. We show that temperatures down to 100 K are achievable in this arrangement given sufficient absorbed laser power at 1020 nm.