Growth of Large Optical‐Quality Yttrium and Rare‐Earth Aluminum Garnets

Abstract

An improved flux consisting of PbO‐PbF 2 and B 2 O 3 was developed for the growth of garnets. Rare‐earth aluminum garnet crystals weighing in excess of 100 g and modified yttrium aluminum garnet crystals weighing up to 60 g were obtained using this flux. Lead contamination was reduced to noncritical levels in these crystals by working with large excesses of A1 2 O 3 in the melt. Excellent optical quality has been produced as indicated both by visual examination and by outstanding laser performance.