“…In order to obtain high Yb 3+ -Yb 2+ conversion in the as grown crystals, we have developed a special growth procedure. Rare-earth ions -doped and PbF 2 -codoped CaF 2 crystals were grown using vertical Bridgman method [Nicoara et al, 2006a[Nicoara et al, , 2006b[Nicoara et al, , 2008a[Nicoara et al, , 2008b[Nicoara et al, , 2008cPruna et al,2009;Paraschiva, 2010]. As starting materials suprapure grade calcium fluoride, YbF 3 , ErF 3 and PbF 2 have been used.…”