Growth of Y3Al5O12: Nd fiber crystals by micro-pulling-down technique

Growth conditions for undoped and Nd-doped Y(3)AI(5)O(12)(YAG) fiber garnet crystals by the micro-pulling-down technique have been established. Crysta ls measuring up to 550 mm in length and 0.5-2.0mm in diameter were seeded-g rown in the [1 1 1] direction using Ir crucibles and RF heating. The effect ive segregation coefficient of Nd3 + in the process described is reported t o be about 0.8 at a growth rate of above 5 mm/min. Our results suggest that the crystals should find practical applications in solid-state laser techn ology. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.