Growth, thermal and spectral properties of Nd3+-doped NaGd(MoO4)2 crystal

Nd3+-doped NaGd(MoO4)2 crystal with dimensions Φ21×42mm2 were grown by Czochralski method. Nd3+:NaGd(MoO4)2 crystal melts at 1182 °C. The hardness of Nd3+:NaGd(MoO4)2 crystal is 334 VDH. The specific heat is 72.6 cal/mol K. The thermal expansion coefficients are 2.38×10-5K-1 for c  -axis and 1.49×10-5K-1 for a-axis, respectively. The absorption cross-sections of Nd3+:NaGd(MoO4)2 crystal are 15.91×10-20cm2 with a FWHM of 9 nm at the 804 nm for π  -polarization and 3.66×10-20cm2 with a FWHM of 17 nm at 807 nm for σ  -polarization, respectively. The emission cross-section σemσem are 1.73×10-20cm2 at 1063 nm for π  -polarization and 1.94×10-201.94×10-20 at 1070 nm cm2 for σ  -polarization, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime τfτf is 93.9 μs at room temperature.