Single crystals with advanced laser properties LiCaAlF<inf>6</inf>:Ce³⁺grown by Bridgman technique

Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. The aim of this work is growth of LiCaAlF6:Ce3+(Ce:LiCAF) crystals by Bridgman technique and study of spectroscopic and laser characteristics in UV spectral range. We report on growth of LiCaAlF6:Ce3+(1.2 at.% in the melt) crystals with refractive index inhomogeneity not worse than Δn = 1.2 ∗ 10−5. The maximum absorption coefficient of Ce3+ions appeared to be up to 7 cm−1and maximum of slope efficiency of laser action as high as 47% in synthesized crystals was achieved.