Growth of alexandrite crystals and investigation of their properties

Abstract Optically homogeneous alexandrite crystals (BeAl 2 O 4 :Cr 3+ ) up to 120 mm in diameter have been grown by the Czochralski method in an inert gas atmosphere using induction heating in iridium crucibles. There is a distinct growth rate anisotropy: maximum along [001], intermediate along [010], and minimum along [100] directions. The absorption, luminescence and excitation spectra have been investigated at 77 K, and comparison with the results obtained earlier at 300 K has been made. Pulsed lasing characteristics of alexandrite cylindrical specimens cut along the c -axis were studied at room temperature.