Progress in the crystal growth of Ce:LiSAF

Although the growth of chromium doped LiSrAlF/sub 6/ has been developed to produce long boules of near-scatter-free material, the doping of LiSAF with cerium introduces different variables into the growth of high optical quality laser crystals. The main crystal growth issue for Ce:LiSAF is the charge compensation mandated by the substitution of the trivalent cerium ion for divalent strontium, which is the only site large enough to support the cerium ion. Initial growth runs produced opaque, heavily cracked crystals with less than 10 mm of cleaner, single crystal material. Subsequent growth runs have resulted in crystals with less passive loss and sufficient material to fabricate an 8/spl times/8/spl times/30 mm laser slab. Typical UV absorption spectra for Ce:LiSAF are shown.