Preparation of thin Nd-doped YVO4 single crystal rods by the floating zone method

Thin neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO4) single crystal rods were successfully prepared by the floating zone method with an infrared convergence type heater. The minimum diameter obtained was about 0.8 mm. The double pass technique was used to keep a stable molten zone throughout the growth of thin single crystals. The as-grown crystals were violet and transparent, and did not have macroscopic defects such as cracks and inclusions. The growth in the pure oxygen flow suppressed the evaporation of the vanadium oxides effectively. Dislocation density was decreased with decreasing crystal diameters. No low-angle grain boundaries and no strains were observed for any crystals up to 3 mm in diameter.