The study of a self-frequency-doubling laser crystal Nd3+ : GdAl3(BO3)4

Abstract Large crystals of Nd 3+  : GdAl 3 (BO 3 ) 4 with size up to 35 mm have been grown from a K 2 Mo 3 O 10 –B 2 O 3 solvent. The liquid temperature curve for this growth system was determined by repeated seeding. From the grown crystal boule, a high-quality laser bulk crystal with dimensions of 4 mm×5 mm×6 mm was cut out, the absorption spectrum and the refractive indices of NGAB crystal as well as its temperature coefficients were measured. The phase-matching angles have been calculated. A laser output of 5 mW at 0.532 μm with an optical to optical efficiency higher than 0.5% has been realized when this crystal was pumped by a GaAlAs laser diode.