Distribution of Neodymium and properties of Nd:YAG crystal by horizontal directional solidification

Nd3+-doped Y3Al5O12 single crystal has been grown by the horizontal directional solidification (HDS) method. The crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, and the relatively small FWHM of the [111] symmetric rocking curve demonstrated the good crystallinity of the crystal. The distribution of Nd3+ ions was studied by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) method and the segregation coefficient was 0.234. The Nd3+ions distribution along the [111] growth axis well agreed with the general distribution equation: Cs=CmK0(1−g)K0−1, and the concentration of Nd3+ ions along the thickness and width direction (perpendicular to [111] growth axis) was near unity. The absorption and emission spectroscopy results indicated that the crystal had excellent laser optical quality for InGaAs diode-laser pumping.

► Nd:Y3Al5O12 crystal was grown by the horizontal directional solidification (HDS).
► Structural and optical properties show that crystal has high quality.
► Segregation coefficient of Nd3+ in HDS-Nd:YAG is measured for the first time.
► Nd3+ distribution along growth axis agrees with equation: CS=CmK0(1−g)K0−1.
► Nd3+ distribution along the thickness and width direction is near unity.