<title>Czochralski growth of SrLaGa3O7:Pr3+ doped single crystals and their optical and lasing properties</title>

Abstract

Single crystals of SrLaGa3O7 doped with 0.5 and 1 at.% praseodymium were grown by the Czochralski technique. A heating system with good thermal insulation and afterheater were applied in order to achieve appropriate radial and axial temperature gradients in the crystallization chamber. Low temperature gradients and flat crystal-melt interface could provide good optical quality crystals free of internal stresses. All single crystals were grown in [001] direction. The pulling rate was 1.5 - 3 mm/h and the rotation rate 50 rpm. The composition and dopant's distribution in crystals were checked by x-ray microprobe. The obtained crystals up to 25 mm in diameter and up to 80 mm in length were of good quality and the dopant's distribution was uniform. The doped crystals were investigated for their spectral an lasing properties. Absorption spectra in range of 180 - 8000 nm were measured, then laser rods were cut out and their generation properties were evaluated.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.