Crystal growth and property of Er3+:NaY(WO4)2

The single crystal of tetragonal schelite-like sodium yttrium tungstate doped with erbium (the molecular formula: Er 31: Nay(WO4)(2), abbreviated Er:NYW) has been grown by the Czochralski method. The structure of crystal is analyzed by X-ray diffraction, and the lattice parameters are a=b=0.5279 nm, c=1.1285 nm, respectively. The optimal conditions for the Cz-pulling procedure are: the pulling speed of 2 mm/h, the rotation rate of 35 r/min, the cooling speed of 18 degrees C/h and the best axial temperature gradient of 0.7 similar to 1 degrees C/mm above liquid surface. The Raman spectrum of Er:NYW crystal has been measured at room temperature, and the assignation of vibrations is discussed. It can be known from the absorption spectrum and photoluminescence spectrum that the absorption peaks of crystals near 1540, 978, and 801 urn are intensive and wider, suitable for the semiconductor laser diodes.