Growth of large-sized Nd:NY(WO4)2 crystal and its spectral properties

This paper reports the growth of Nd3+:NY(WO4)2 crystal with high optical quality and large size. Nd3+:NY(WO4)2 crystal with the dimension Φ30×75 mm2 and optical homogeneity 4×10−5 was grown by Czhchoralski method: the seed used was [1 0 0] orientation, the pulling rate and rotating rate were 0.5-1.25 mm/h and 15 rpm, respectively. The growing processes and characteristics of Nd3+:NY(WO4)2 crystal was discussed. Its unpolarized absorption spectra and emission spectra were measured. The absorption cross-section and emission cross-section were presented. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, we obtained the three intensity parameters: Ω2=5.8×10-20, Ω4=5.74×10-20, and Ω6=4.32×10-20cm2. The radiative probabilities, radiative lifetimes, branch ratios and quantum efficiency of Nd3+:NY(WO4)2 were calculated too.