Modified Czochralski growth and characterization of Nd3+-doped CsLa(WO4)2 crystal

A Nd3+:CsLa(WO4)2 crystal with dimensions of ∅ 18mm×length 30mm has been grown from Cs2WO4 flux by a modified Czochralski method. The crystal structure of the grown crystal has been confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction. The thermal expansion coefficients of Nd3+:CsLa(WO4)2 crystal are 26.3×10−6K−1 along the a-axis and 8.4×10−6K−1 along the c-axis. The polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curve have been recorded at room temperature. The Judd–Ofelt theory has been applied to predict the spectroscopic parameters relevant for laser applications. The emission cross-sections for the 4F3/2→4I11/2 transition are 3.59×10−20 and 17.94×10−20cm2 at 1058nm for π- and σ-polarizations, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime of the 4F3/2 manifold is 211.8μs, and the quantum efficiency is 92.1%.