Growth, thermal properties and laser operation of a new disordered crystal: Nd-doped Sr3La2(BO3)4

• Nd:Sr3La2(BO3)4 crystal was grown by the CZ method.
• The complete set of anisotropic thermal properties was systematically studied.
• Polarized absorption and fluorescence spectral were measured.
• CW laser operations at 1.06 μm of Nd:Sr3La2(BO3)4 were demonstrated for the first time.

A novel disordered laser crystal Nd:Sr3La2(BO3)4 is characterized including its crystal growth, structure, thermal properties, inhomogeneously broadened spectra, and laser performance, which result that this crystal should be a promising gain material for the high-power ultrashort pulsed neodymium laser. The complete set of anisotropic thermal properties were systematically studied for the first time. It has been found that all the thermal conductivities along the three crystallographic directions increase with temperature, indicating a glass-like behavior. Polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra of Nd:Sr3La2(BO3)4 crystal were measured at 298.15 K and 77.2 K, respectively. The results show that both the absorption and the emission spectra of Nd3+ have been inhomogeneously broadened, and thus it is very promising to be used in laser systems to produce femtosecond pulses. CW laser operations at 1.06 μm along the b-cut and c-cut directions have been demonstrated for the first time. A maximum power of 533 mW with an optical conversion efficiency of 5.5% and slope efficiency of 6.4% was achieved in the c-cut sample.

A large sized and high quality Nd:Sr3La2(BO3)4 laser crystal has been successfully grown by the Czochralski method. The room temperature (298.15 K) and low temperature (77.2 K) fluorescence spectra were studied, and inhomogeneous broadening phenomemon was found. Additionally, such a large bandwidth shows that Nd:Sr3La2(BO3)4 may possibly be used in laser systems to produce femtosecond pulses.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide