The disordered crystal ${\mathrm{LiGd}}_{0.936}{\mathrm{Yb}}_{0.064}({\mathrm{MoO}}_4{)}_2$ was grown with high optical quality by the flux method using ${\mathrm{Li}}_2{\mathrm{MoO}}_4$ as a solvent. The crystal possesses tetragonal symmetry belonging to the space group $I\overline{4}$ , with two nonequivalent sites occupied by the dopant. Spectroscopic studies at 5 and $300\mathrm{K}$ provided information on the Stark energy-level splitting and the absorption and emission cross sections of the ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ ion. Laser operation of ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ was obtained for the first time in such a Li-containing double tungstate or molybdate. The tuning range with a Ti:sapphire laser pumping extended over $\sim 32\mathrm{nm}$ for the σ polarization and $23\mathrm{nm}$ for the π polarization. Without a tuning element the laser performance was similar for the two polarizations. By using a 10% transmission output coupler, a maximum output power of $\approx 470\mathrm{mW}$ was obtained with a slope efficiency $\eta =64.5\%$ and the absorbed pump power at threshold was $520\mathrm{mW}$ . Laser operation was also achieved by pumping with a tapered diode laser and a fiber-coupled diode laser module, with a Yb laser output power of $0.66\mathrm{W}$ in the latter case.

© 2006 Optical Society of America

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