Crystal growth and characterization of Nd 3+ :(La x Gd 1-x ) 3 Ga 5 O 12 laser crystal

A bulk mixed Nd3+:(LaxGd1-x)3Ga5O12 (Nd:LaGGG) laser crystal with dimensions of Ф 26 × 30 mm3 was successfully grown by the Czochralski (Cz) method. The structure and the effective segregation coefficients of Nd3+ and La3+ ions in the as-grown Nd:LaGGG crystal were measured. The thermal properties were also investigated as a function of temperature. In addition, the spectral properties were measured and the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory was applied to calculate the spectral parameters. In the 1062 nm CW laser operation, the maximum output power of 8.75 W was achieved. All the properties show that the Nd:LaGGG crystal is a promising laser materials.