Nd3+ doped CaLaGa3O7: Growth, structure, and optical properties of a disordered laser crystal

A new disordered crystal of Nd3+-doped CaLaGa3O7 (Nd: CLGO) was successfully grown using the Czochralski method for the first time. The effective segregation coefficient of Nd3+ ions in CLGO was calculated to be 0.68. A systematic investigation of the crystal structure characteristics, fluorescence lifetime, polarized absorption spectra, and emission spectra of Nd: CLGO crystal at room temperature was reported. The maximal absorption cross-sections at 808 nm were 3.18 and 1.34 x 10(-20) cm(2) for pi-polarization and sigma-polarization with an FWHM of 16 and 10 nm, respectively, indicating the good pumping efficiency of laser diodes (LDs). The emission cross-sections at 1061 nm of pi- and sigma-polarization were 7.23 and 6.90 x 10(-20) cm(2) with an FWHM of 18.8 and 27.8 nm, respectively. Moreover, the measured fluorescence lifetime was 250 mu s? Based on the spectral parameters, several important laser parameters were calculated to assess the laser capability. The above results indicate that Nd: CLGO crystal is a promising disordered laser host with AlGaAs LD pumping, and is suitable for generating ultrashort pulse lasers.

Automated summary

A new disordered crystal of Nd3+-doped CaLaGa3O7 (Nd: CLGO) was successfully grown and characterized. The crystal exhibited excellent laser processing efficiency and pumping efficiency, making it suitable for generating ultrashort pulse lasers.