Novel neodymium hosts

High-temperature-melting oxides were examined for high cross-section laser materials. The objective was to develop Nd-doped laser materials that have a high laser cross section comparable to Nd:YVO4, We examined Nd-doped crystals of y1*Os, Gd1Os, Sc1o3 as well as YPO4 and find indeed that these crystals have good potential for diode-pumped lasers. Characterization of the crystals demonstrate absorption spectra suitable for diode pumping at 807 and 825 nm.