Thermal and laser properties of Nd : YVO4 crystal

Nd:YVO4 crystal has been grown by Czochralski method. The data of thermal e xpansion and specific heat have been measured. The thermal expansion coeffi cients along a- and c-axis are alpha(i) = 2.2 x 10(-6) /K, and alpha(3)= 8. 4 x 10(-6) /K respectively. The specific heat is 24.6 cal/mol.K at 330 K. T he large anisotropy along c- and a-axis of thermal expansion coefficients i s explained by the structure of YVO4 crystal. 921 mW output laser at 1.06 m u m has been obtained with a 3 mm x 3 mm x 1 mm crystal sample when pumped by 1840 mW cw laser diode, and the slope efficiency is 55.5%.