Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.217, No.1-2, 145-150, 2000
Growth and characterization of LiGd1-x-yYxNdyF4 single crystals
LiGdF4 (GLF) crystals co-doped with yttrium concentrations up to 50 mol% and neodymium have been grown by the Czochralski method, under argon and CF, atmospheres. The best conditions for crystal growth were achieved using carbon-free chemicals and CF4 atmosphere, and one good-quality crystal of LiGd1-x-yYxNdyF4 (x = 50mol%, y = 2.7 mol%) was obtained. The segregation coefficients measured for gadolinium and yttrium were close to I and for neodymium is 0.40, independent of the Gd/Y ratio. From the point of view of the application of these crystals as laser media there is the possibility to use two crystals with advantage over the Nd:YLF (Nd:YLF) the Nd:GLF and the Nd:GLF co-doped with 50mol% Y. The characterization of these crystals is presented.