Crystal growth and laser performance of neodymium-doped scandium orthovanadate

A scandium orthovanadate (ScVO4) single crystal doped with Nd at a concentration of 0.5 at% with dimensions of ϕ8×35 mm2 has to our knowledge for the first time been successfully grown by the floating zone method. The absorption spectrum was measured at room temperature, showing that the transition from 4I9/2 to 4F5/2+2H9/2 is centered at 810 nm with FWHM 6.9 nm. Laser performance of the Nd:ScVO4 crystal at 1068 nm was demonstrated. A maximum average output power of 240 mW was achieved under a pump power of 5.19 W.