Float zone growth and broadening of the absorption and emission bands of Nd-doped vanadate single crystals

Nd:PrVO_4 and Nd:La_xGd_VO_4 single crystals were grown by the floating zone method in order to broaden the absorption and emission bands of Nd^. Nd:La_xGd_VO_4 (X≦0.15) and Nd:PrVO_4 single crystals had no macroscopic defects, whereas cellular structures were found in a Nd:La_Gd_VO_4 crystal. The absorption band of Nd:PrVO_4 around 808nm was broader than that of Nd:GdVO_4, and intensive absorption peaks were not observed around 1.06μm and 1.3μm.01pA0