Growth and spectral properties of Nd3+ :Li3Ba2Y3(WO4)8 crystal

An Nd3+ :Li3Ba2Y3(WO4)8 crystal with dimensions up to 32 × 20 × 14 mm has been grown by the top seed solution growth method. The spectral characterisation of Nd3+ :Li3Ba2Y3(WO4)8 crystal was investigated. The investigated results show that Nd3+ :Li3Ba2Y3(WO4)8 crystal has a broad absorption band with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ∼9 nm at 805 nm. The absorption cross-sections are 10·12 × 10–20 cm2 for E//Y, 2·33 × 10–20 cm2 for E//X and 3·69 × 10–20 cm2 for E//Z respectively. The emission cross sections are 4·45 × 10–20 cm2 at 1065 nm for E//X, 15·51 × 10–20 cm2 at 1061 nm for E//Y and 6·67 × 10–20 cm2 at 1061 nm for E//Z respectively. The quantum efficiency η is 93·7%. These results suggest that Nd3+ :Li3Ba2Y3(WO4)8 crystal may be regarded as a new high efficiency laser crystal material.