The growth of mixed alkaline-earth fluorides for laser host applications

Publication date: March 2011 Source:Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization of Materials, Volume 57, Issue 1 Author(s): J.T. Mouchovski , K.A. Temelkov , N.K. Vuchkov A comprehensive analysis is implemented concerning the growth, properties, and applications of doped–co-doped single and mixed alkali earth fluoride systems. Calcium–strontium fluoride solid solutions with a Sr content proportion varying widely between 0.007 and 0.675 mol.% are obtained as a batch of axis-symmetrical boules grown by a Bridgman–Stockbarger (BS) method. The crystallization front (CF) can be controlled to retain a convex CF-shape that is favourable for normal growth of single crystals. This achieved using a broad adiabatic furnace zone (AdZ) independently of the boules’ composition. The influence of the thermal field distribution on the CF and the real crystallization rate (CR), which are both critically decisive in controlling crystal quality, were originally assessed using empirically derived formulas. The optical characteristics of the grown boules were monitored by measuring the external transmittance t and calculating the total losses following light irradiation of optical windows that were prepared from sections of the boules that had been cut parallel to one another. The t-measurements were performed by two different techniques and the comparative analysis of the results reliably indicates any inhomogeneity in the grown boules. A simple supercooling criterion proved t...

Source: Progress in Crystal Growth and Characterization of Materials - October 12, 2014 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research