Czochralski Growth of Oxide Laser Crystals

Abstract

The most widely used active elements of optically pumped solid state lasers are crystals of inorganic oxides. Such oxide materials crystallasing in either garnet or corundum structures are prepared on industrial scale by the pulling technique known as Czochralski Crystal Growth. The description of the present state-of-the-art in Czochralski growth is described along with critical variables involved in growth of large size, high quality oxide crystals. The description of crystal growth of ruby, yttrium aluminum garnets, and titanium sapphire is presented. The effects of compositions, ambient atmospheres, crystal growth variables, and environmental conditions on individual crystal types are described. Suitability of the Czochralski technique for crystal growth of different oxides is discussed with emphasis on material properties such as phase diagram implication (congruency of melting), melting temperatures, crucible materials, effects of doping ions, and high temperature melt chemistry.