Growth of oxide laser crystals

Abstract Optically pumped solid state lasers are frequently single crystals of inorganic oxides containing active elements. While, most of these crystals are simple inorganic oxides or binary mixtures of two oxides by adding active ions and activators, sometimes in significant quantities, these system become more complex. Resulting mixtures of four sometimes five oxides display more complicated properties than are those of simple oxides. Examples of such systems are CTH:YAG (Chromium, Thulium, Holmium Garnet), and CTE:YAG (Chromium, Thulium, Erbium Garnet). The need for very high optical quality crystal in laser applications made the manufacture (crystal growth and fabrication) one of the most demanding manufacturing processes. A description of the growth of research and development type crystals, as well as scaling the process to industrial level is described. The best understood and most practiced technique in commercial crystal growth is described along with its advantages and limitations. The effects of composition and properties of individual crystals on process variables, growth parameters, and thermal designs are described. The crystal quality enhancement and control by recognizing, understanding, and minimizing or elimination of crystal defects are described. Emphasis is given to material properties that play a role in the selection of growth parameters for individual host systems such as garnet-based or corundum-based laser crystals.