Novel laser crystal Nd3+: Ca(Y, Gd)AlO4: A promising candidate for laser operation beyond 1.37 μm

A novel laser crystal Nd: CaGd0.1Y0.9AlO4 (Nd3+: Ca(Y, Gd)AlO4) crystal has been successfully grown by Czochralski (CZ) method. With the introduction of Gd3+ ions, this crystal has a more disorder structure than that of the Nd: CaYAlO4 (Nd: CYA). The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the pi polarization emission spectra at around 1365 nm for the Nd3+: Ca(Y, Gd)AlO4 crystal was 53 nm, which is larger than that of Nd: CYA (35 nm) crystals, provided clear evidence for the more disorder structure. Moreover, its wide absorption spectral was maintained compared to the Nd: CYA crystal. At the same time, the effective dual-wavelength continuous-wave laser operation at 1358.4 nm and 1374 nm was realized of the as-grown crystal for the first time. These results suggest that the Nd3+: Ca(Y, Gd)AlO4 crystal is a promising disordered laser host for solid laser operation at the wavelength longer than 1370 nm in the range of 1.3-1.4 mu m. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A novel laser crystal Nd: CaGd0.1Y0.9AlO4 has been successfully grown by Czochralski method. The crystal with Gd3+ ions exhibits a more disorder structure compared to Nd: CaYAlO4 crystal. The crystal shows wider emission spectra and maintained wide absorption spectra. Through the as-grown crystal, dual-wavelength continuous-wave laser operation at 1358.4 nm and 1374 nm was achieved for the first time. These findings suggest that Nd: CaGd0.1Y0.9AlO4 crystal is a promising disordered laser host for longer wavelength solid laser operation.