Nd:YAG single crystals grown by floating zone method in laser furnace

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel crucible-free floating zone method using laser furnace for growing high-quality Nd:YAG single crystals, with improved strain reduction and applicability to other oxide materials.

Contribution

It introduces an innovative laser-based floating zone technique with an afterheater, enhancing crystal quality and enabling growth in oxidizing environments.

Findings

High-quality Nd:YAG crystals verified by Laue diffraction

Reduced internal strain demonstrated by neutron diffraction

Absorption spectrum matches commercial standards

Abstract

We report on single crystal growth of laser material Nd:YAG widely used in the applications by innovative crucible-free floating zone method implemented in an advanced laser optical furnace. We have optimized the parameters for the production of high-quality single crystals of the size typical for laser tubes. To reduce the strain and improve machinability, we have developed an afterheater to thermalize the grown part of a single crystal below the hot zone, which is a technique unavailable in common mirror furnaces. The high quality of the single crystals was verified by Laue diffraction and the internal strain was documented by neutron diffraction. The absorption spectrum corresponds with the parameters of the commercially used material produced by Czochralski method. The presented methodology for the single crystal growth by floating zone method with laser heating is applicable for the preparation of other high-quality single crystals of oxide-based materials, particularly in an oxidizing environment unattainable in commonly used crucible methods.