Influence of Ca4GdO(BO3)3 doping on its properties

Czochralski growth of Ca4GdO(BO3)3 (GdCOB) single crystals, pure and doped with several rare earth ions (Nd3+, Pr3+, Tm3+, and Sm3+), has been carried out. As-grown single crystals free from inclusions, bubbles and cracks were 20 mm in diameter and up to 60 mm in length. Optical absorption spectra of 6 at% thulium and samarium doped calcium gadolinium oxoborate were measured and presented. It was found that introduction of Pr3+ and Tm3+ ions leads to an increase of second-order photoinduced effects in GdCOB. The second harmonic generation shows an increase of at least 35% under the influence of photoinducing nitrogen laser (<f>λ=377</f> nm) power. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]