Growth,defects,and properties of GdCa4O（BO3）3 and Nd：GdCa4O（BO3）3 crystals

Pure and neodymium-doped gadolinium calcium oxoborate crystals of high quality were grown by the Czochralski method.The orientation of crystal was precisely determined,and the samples for measurements were prepared.Through synchrotron x-ray topography and high-resolution x-ray diffractometry,the twin structure was discovered.Some properties such as the figure of merit value,and dielectric,piezoelectric,and elastic constants were meausured along with a discussion of the anisotropy of the laser properties.