Spectral-luminescent properties of Yb$^{3+}$ in SO$_{2}$Cl$_{2}$–GaCl$_{3}$–Yb$^{3+}$

The spectra of absorption, luminescence, and lifetime of Yb$^{3+}$ in SO$_{2}$Cl$_{2}$–GaCl$_{3}$–Yb$^{3+}$ solutions were measured. Information is obtained on the Stark splitting of energy levels, absorption and stimulated emission cross sections of Yb$^{3+}$. An analysis of the spectral dependence of the gain cross sections indicates that the SO$_{2}$Cl$_{2}$–GaCl$_{3}$–Yb$^{3+}$ solution is promising as the active medium of a diode-pumped liquid ytterbium laser.