Diode pumping of LaxNd1-xMgAl11O19 lasers

Compared to other Nd3+ doped materials such as YAG:Nd3+, YAP:Nd3+, and YLF:Nd3+, crystal LaxNd1-xMgAl11O19 (LNA) has relatively much higher Nd concentration, long upper state lifetime, and large absorption bandwidths. LNA crystals have been pumped by laser diode arrays emitting around 800 nm. High-quality LNA crystals for this purpose have been grown.