Development of a novel laser material for miniaturized laser systems

Single crystals of NdP5O14, NdLiP4O12, and NdAl3(BO3)4 were grown from various type of fluxes. Miniature laser rods up to 2 x 2 x 20 mm in size were fabricated from crystals of NdP5O14. The spectroscopic properties of these compounds are compared, and data are given of the lasing experiments with NdP5O14 on laser pulse energies, pulse shapes, and beam divergences at different repetition rates with and without Q-switching. Single-pulse output energies up to 240 mJ in the free-oscillation mode and up to 30 mJ in the Q-switched mode were obtained. Repetitive pulsed operation was possible at rates of 5-10 pps with forced gas cooling. Single crystals of (RE)P5O14, (RE)LiP4O12, and (RE)Al3(BO3)4 with Er(3+), as well as with Gd and Yb, were grown and studied spectroscopically. The data shows that these materials have Er(3+) luminescence properties similar to those of Er(3+) in other hosts which have shown lasing.