Thermal, spectroscopic properties and laser performance at 1.06 and 1.33 μm of Nd : Ca4YO(BO3)3 and Nd : Ca4GdO(BO3)3 crystals

Abstract Nd : Ca 4 YO(BO 3 ) 3 (Nd : YCOB) and Nd : Ca 4 GdO(BO 3 ) 3 (Nd : GdCOB) crystals were grown by Czochralski method. Thermal expansion and specific heat of these two crystals were experimentally determined. Their fluorescence spectra were measured within the range from 1000 to 1500 nm. Laser output experiments at 1.06 and 1.33 μm of Nd : YCOB and Nd : GdCOB crystals were performed with a cw Ti : sapphire laser as the pump source.