Growth and Raman spectroscopic investigation of CaxGd1−xVO4 single crystals for potential Raman laser media

CaxGd1−xVO4 crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that as-grown crystals have a zircon-type structure belonging to the tetragonal system. The Ca2+-doped concentration was measured by ICP spectroscopy. It was found that the segregation coefficient of the Ca2+ ion (kCa) decreased with increasing Ca2+ concentration. XPS experiments validated that V atoms remained pentavalent in CaxGd1−xVO4 crystals. The Raman spectra of CaxGd1−xVO4 crystals were investigated at room temperature. The results indicated that the Raman line intensity at about 885 cm−1 increased exponentially with the increase of Ca2+ concentration. The Ca2+ dopant influenced the Raman property of GdVO4 single crystals.