Distribution of Neodymium and properties of Nd:YAG crystal by horizontal directional solidification

Nd ³-doped Y ₃Al ₅O ₁₂ single crystal has been grown by the horizontal directional solidification (HDS) method. The crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, and the relatively small FWHM of the [111] symmetric rocking curve demonstrated the good crystallinity of the crystal. The distribution of Nd ³ ions was studied by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) method and the segregation coefficient was 0.234. The Nd ³ions distribution along the [111] growth axis well agreed with the general distribution equation: ^Cs= ^CmK0( ^1-g)K0-1, and the concentration of Nd ³ ions along the thickness and width direction (perpendicular to [111] growth axis) was near unity. The absorption and emission spectroscopy results indicated that the crystal had excellent laser optical quality for InGaAs diode-laser pumping.