RE3+-Doped Ca3(Nb,Ga)5O12 and Ca3(Li,Nb,Ga)5O12 Crystals (RE = Sm, Dy, and Pr): A Review of Current Achievements

Spectroscopic characteristics of RE3+ ions (RE = Sm, Dy, and Pr) doped in partially disordered Ca3Nb1.6875Ga3.1875O12-CNGG and Ca3Li0.275Nb1.775Ga2.95O12-CLNGG crystals are reviewed in detail to assess their prospects as laser crystals with emission in the visible spectral domain. All investigated crystals were grown using the Czochralski crystal growth technique. High-resolution absorption and emission measurements at different temperatures, as well as emission dynamics measurements, were performed on the grown crystals. The spectroscopic and laser emission characteristics of the obtained crystals were determined based on the Judd-Ofelt parameters. The obtained results indicate that CNGG:RE3+ and CLNGG:RE3+ (RE = Sm, Dy, and Pr) crystals can be promising materials for lasers in the visible range.