Characterization of growth, spectroscopy, and laser properties of rare-earth-doped disordered oxides

Single crystals of three Nd3+-doped disordered oxides have been grown and characterized as candidates for improved diode-pumped solid state lasers. These hosts include one melilite, SrGdGa3O7 (SGGM), and two gallogermanates, La3Ga5GeO14 (LGG) and its isomorph La3Ga5SiO14 (LGS). Spectroscopic properties such as absorption and emission bandwidth, fluorescent lifetimes, and emission cross-sections are included. Laser properties of the 4F3/2 - 4I11/2 transition at 1.06 microns have been measured.