Investigation on growth and macro-defects of Er3+-doped BaY2F8 laser crystal

Large BaY2F8 and Er3+-doped BaY2F8 single crystals were grown by the temperature gradient method. Three kinds of macro-defects were found in BaY2F8 single crystals. These macro-defects include cracks, growth striations and straight pipes. The morphologies and distribution regularities of these macro-defects were observed and studied using a solid polarization microscope. The formation mechanisms and the methods of eliminating these defects were discussed.