High-speed float zone growth of heavily Nd-doped YVO4 single crystals

Neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd: YVO4) single crystals with high Nd-content (2-8.5 at%) were grown at a high rate by the float zone method u sing an infrared convergence type heater. Single crystals could be grown at growth rates of 5-25 mm/h without macroscopic-defects. However, second-pha se precipitates, identified to be 4Y(2)O(3).V2O5, formed at growth rates lo wer than 5 mm/h irrespective of the Nd-content. In addition, cellular growt h occurred in Nd-doped crystals containing more than 8 at% Nd and grown at rates higher than 20 mm/h. Electron probe microanalysis showed that the neo dymium distribution and content was uniform. The absorption coefficient of the grown crystals increased with increasing Nd-content. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.