Nd:CaYAlO4—a new crystal for solid-state lasers emitting at 1.08 μm

Abstract

Crystals with the K2 NiF4 structure are good hosts for transition metal and rare-earth ions. Continuous-wave room-temperature laser action in a neodymium-doped crystal with this structure, CaYAlO4 , was observed using a GaAlAs diode laser array for end pumping of the laser rod. The free-running laser operated at a wavelength of 1080.6 nm.