Preparation, growth, and characterisation of Nd3+-doped calcium lithium niobium gallium garnet (Nd3+: CLNGG) single crystals

Abstract Pure and Nd3+-doped Ca3Li0.275Nb1.775Ga2.95O12 (CLNGG) single crystals were grown by the Czochralski pulling technique. A new garnet, neodymium lithium niobium gallium garnet (NLNGG), was synthesised by solid-state reaction technique and, to keep charge balance, Nd3Li0.275Nb0.275Ga4.45O12 composition was selected. CLNGG and NLNGG were found to have almost equal lattice parameters, therefore Nd3+-doped CLNGG crystals were obtained by mixing and melting these two garnets. The growth conditions, crystal quality and preliminary spectroscopic properties of the Nd3+-doped CLNGG are reported. The Nd3+-doped CLNGG single crystals have broad absorption bands which are attractive for diode-pumped lasers.