Polarized spectral properties and laser operation of Nd3+-doped La2(WO4)3 crystal

A Nd3+:La-2(WO4)(3) single crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The orientation relationship between the optical indicatrix axes and the crystallographic axes was determined. Polarized spectral properties were studied in detail. Laser oscillations of this crystal under Ti:sapphire laser pumping at 802 nm were demonstrated. The achieved highest slope efficiencies were 51.3% and 12.1% for 1058 and 1332 nm, respectively, and the corresponding thresholds were 30 and 93 mW, respectively. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America