Growth and characterization of Nd:Y_xGd_1−xVO_4 series laser crystals

Abstract

A series of $\mathrm{Nd}:{\mathrm{Y}}_x{\mathrm{Gd}}_{1-x}{\mathrm{VO}}_4$ ($x=0.17$, 0.37, 0.53, 0.63, 0.70, 0.81) mixed laser crystals with doping concentration of $0.5\mathrm{at.}\%$ 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 ${\mathrm{M}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ were calculated and show that the thermal fracture limit of the mixed crystals should be comparable with that of $\mathrm{Nd}:{\mathrm{YVO}}_4$. Diode-pumped continuous-wave (CW) laser performance at $1.34\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{m}$ and $1.06\mathrm{\mu }\mathrm{m}$ 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 $\mathrm{Nd}:{\mathrm{Y}}_x{\mathrm{Gd}}_{1-x}{\mathrm{VO}}_4$ represents a new series of crystals suitable for application as high-power diode-pumped lasers.