Investigation of new Nd-doped crystals designed for laser operation at short wavelengths along the 4F3/2->4I9/2 channel around 900 nm

The study of neodymium ions emission along the channel 4F3/2->4I9/2 led us to select several materials for short laser wavelength application. The results obtained with three series of compounds are presented: ABGa3O7 (A = Ca or Sr-B = La or Gd), ABAlO4 (A = Ca or Sr-B = Y, Ln) and AMO4 (A= Ca, Sr or Ba-M = Mo or W). Crystal growth of these hosts and neodymium ions spectroscopic characterizations are presented. Among all these crystals, Nd-doped BaWO4 seems to be the most promising one for laser emission at short wavelength, combining easy crystal growth, short emission wavelength and long lifetime.