Flux growth and characterization of Cr~(4+) : Ca_2GeO_4 crystals as a new near infrared tunable laser material

摘要

Cr~4 : Ca_2GeO_4 crystals were grown by pulling technique from CaF_2-based solution. RF-heated Czochralski equipment designed for conventional growth procedure from a melt was employed. Stable growth conditions without constitutional supercooling have been created for the pulling rate up to 0.25 mm/h. Only Cr~(4+)-substitution took place in the Ca_2GeO_4 crystal sites whether the growth atmosphere was nitrogen or air.