Abstract

Neodymium-doped lanthanum beryllate (Nd³⁺:La₂Be₂O₅) or Nd:BEL is a monoclinic congruently melting material which is emerging as an attractive single-crystal intermediate gain solid- state laser medium. Considerable development of this material has already taken place in the areas of crystal growth, spectroscopy, material characterization, and laser physics. The accumulated body of Information along with some recent results, which are presented here for the first time, suggests that Nd:BEL can substantially outperform alternative laser materials, including Nd:YAG and Nd:glass, in certain Important performance areas.

© 1986 Optical Society of America