Growth, structure, and intensities of spectra of Ln(2)Ca(3)B(4)O(12): Nd3+crystals (Ln = Y, La, Gd)

Processes of synthesis and thermal stability of double berates of rare-eart h elements and calcium Ln(2)Ca(3)B(4)O(12) (Ln = La-Lu and Y) are studied. Pure and Nd3+-doped single crystals are grown by the Czochralski method. Ac cording to X-ray studies and testing for SHG and the piezoelectric effect, Ln(2)Ca(3)B(4)O(12) crystals and their strontium and most barium analogues are isostructural and are crystallized in the Pnma rhombic space group. A n umber of facts suggest that these compounds exhibit the high-temperature ph ase transition. The absorption and luminescence spectra and luminescence li fetimes of Ln(2)Ca(3)B(4)O(12) : Nd3+ crystals (Ln = La, Gd, and Y) are stu died. The intensity parameters are determined by the Judd-Ofelt method. For the filling factor of neodymium close to unity, crystals can be doped with neodymium ions in high concentrations without deterioration of their optic al quality and exhibit broad nonstructural absorption bands in the region o f lasing of laser diodes. The conclusion is made about the possibility of u sing these crystals as active laser media, in particular, pumped by laser d iodes.