Growth of high quality large Nd: YAG crystals by Temperature Gradient Technique (TGT)

Abstract The phase diagram of Al 2 O 3 -Y 2 O 3 is very complex and Nd 3+ doping increases the instability of the four-fold coordination of aluminium in the YAG structure. Therefore, the growth of Nd: YAG (Nd 3+ : Y 3 Al 5 O 12 ) is different and much more difficult than that of the undoped material. Nd: YAG crystals were grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT). The growth system was modified and the growth parameters optimized. Crystals with excellent optical homogeneity, less scattering particles, low dislocation density and high Nd 3+ doping concentration have been grown.