Growth and characterization of Nd : YxGd1-xVO4 series laser crystals

A series of Nd:YxGd1-xVO4 (x = 0.17, 0.37, 0.53, 0.63, 0.70, 0.81) mixed laser crystals with doping concentration of 0.5 at.% Nd were successfully grown by the Czochralski method. Thermal properties including the specific heat, thermal diffusion coefficient, and the thermal conductivity were systematically studied. The material constants M. were calculated and show that the thermal fracture limit of the mixed crystals should be comparable with that of Nd:YVO4. Diode-pumped continuous-wave (CW) laser performance at 1.34 mu m and 1.06 mu m with a- and c-cut crystals was demonstrated. The influence of different x values on laser performance and emission cross sections was also discussed. All the results show that Nd:YxGd1-xVO4 represents a new series of crystals suitable for application as high-power diode-pumped lasers. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.