Growth and noncritical phase-matching third-harmonic-generation of GdxY1-xCa4O(BO3)(3) crystal

A series of solid-solution crystals GdxY1-xCa4O(BO3)(3) (GdxY1-xCOB) (x = 0 -1) were grown by the Czochralski (CZ) method. The distribution coefficient s of Gd3+ and Y3+ ions in GdxY1-xCOB crystal are 0.952 and 1.069, respectiv ely, which were measured by X-ray fluorescent analysis. So Y3+ ions are eas ier to incorporate into GdxY1-xCOB crystal lattice than Gd3+ ions. The comp osition of crystal from the seed to the bottom is homogeneous. The noncriti cal phase-matching (NCPM) third-harmonic generation (THG) of Nd : YAG laser (1064 nm) can be realized in Gd0.37Y0.63COB crystal along the Y-principal axis. The UV cutoff of Gd0.37Y0.63COB is at 320 nm when measured by HITARCH I U-3500 spectrophotometer. For the first time, THG experiments of Gd0.37Y0 .63COB crystal were performed using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The output ene rgy is up to 88.2 mJ at 355 nm when the input energy is 600 mJ for 11 mm lo ng Gd0.37Y0.63COB crystal. The THG optical-optical conversion efficiency of Gd0.37Y0.63COB crystal is 14.7%. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.