Optical damage resistance in Zn:Nd:LiNbO3 laser crystals

A series of Zn, Nd co-doped LiNbO3 crystals were grown by Czochralski technique with 0.5 mol% of Nd2O3 and with 0, 4.0, and 7.0 mol% of ZnO, respectively. Their optical damage resistance was characterized by measurement of the photo-induced birefringence change. The optical damage resistance of Zn (7.0 mol%):Nd:LiNbO3 was much higher than that of Nd:LiNbO3. The ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectra and the infrared (IR) transmission spectra of Nd:Zn:LiNbO3 crystals were measured and investigated. The defects were discussed in this paper to explain the optical damage resistance in the Zn:Nd:LiNbO3 crystals.