Effect of substitution of barium by strontium on optical properties of neodymium-doped XLaGa3O7 (X≡Ba,Sr)

Abstract A new, low threshold laser crystal SrLaGa3O7:Nd3+ belonging to the large family of gallates of alkaline earths and lanthanides has been obtained by the Czochralski method. Optical properties of the crystal undoped and doped with neodymium have been investigated and the spectral parameters relevant to laser performance have been evaluated. The effect of alkaline earth ion replacement in the compound on its spectral characteristics has been determined on the basis of structural data and the previously reported study of BaLaGa3O7. Laser performances of SrLaGa3O7:Nd3+ and the commercial YAG:Nd have been compared. The slope efficiency of the SrLaGa3O7:Nd3+ laser is found to be lower than that of the YAG:Nd laser by a factor of 2. From spectroscopic data it has been concluded that the performance of the SrLaGa3O7:Nd3+ laser is reduced by a lower optical quality of the crystal.