Tetragonal SrGdGa3O7 and SrLaGa3O7—novel SRS-active crystals

We report on the first observation of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effects in tetragonal crystals of SrGdGa3O7 and SrLaGa3O7, known as host crystals for Ln3+-lasant ions. All recorded Raman-induced spectral lines were identified and attributed to the promoting χ(3)-vibrational modes of these gallates. Steady-state Raman gain coefficients for first Stokes generation were estimated. A short review of known simultaneous SRS- and Ln3+-laser active melilite-type crystals is given as well.