Crystal growth and optical properties of YAl3(BO3)4 for UV applications

YAl3(BO3)4 (YAB) crystals free of UV absorption were grown for the first time from the Al2O3-Li2O-B2O3 flux by the top seeded solution growth (TSSG) method in a non-oxygen atmosphere. The as-grown YAB crystals show good UV transparency with the cut-off wavelength located at 170 nm. The largest size crystal is up to 30×30×25 mm3 with a weight of 46.3 g. X-ray rocking curves reveal that the crystals are of good crystalline quality. The optical properties including refractive indices, Sellmeier equations and SHG phase-matching properties are also presented.

► YAB crystals free of UV absorption were grown for the first time by a new growth technique.
► Large YAB crystals with good UV transparency were obtained.
► Optical properties of YAB were investigated.