Float zone growth and laser performance of Nd:GdVO4 single crystals

Neodymium-doped gadolinium orthovanadate (Nd:GdVO4) single crystals were successfully grown by the floating zone method. At growth rates between 5 and 30 mm/h, Nd:GdVO4 single crystals with Nd content of 2-15 at% could be grown without macroscopic defects such as second phase precipitates and cellular growth. Grown crystals showed no step-facetting and had a desired crystal diameter. From the etch pit patterns, dislocation density was decreased from 10(5) to 10(4) cm(-2) during the growth when the diameter of grown crystals was less than 3 mm and when Nd content was less than 10 at %. Growths rate lower than 30 mm/h was also favorable to decrease the dislocation density to the order of 10(4) cm(-2). Lasing properties were measured for c-cut sample crystals with Nd contents of 2-10 at% grown at 25 mm/h and the maximum slope efficiency was 49% for the sample with 5 at%. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.