Laser properties of YAG : Nd grown from the melt contained in molybdenum crucibles

YAG:Nd grown from the melt using resitance furnace and molybdenum crucibles were compared with those grown by conventional method using r.f. heating and iridium crucibles. The former were succesfully grown in 98% Ar + 2% H2 protective a mosphere using an excess of Y2O3 in the melt and after it annealed in an oxidizing atmosphere followed by treatment in hydrogen to reach the material with minimum losses. Laser rods machined from such crystals, showed nearly the same properties as those prepared by conventional method.