Properties of Nd:La2Be2O5 laser crystals

Abstract

Neodymium-doped lanthanum beryllate (La2Be2O5 or BEL) is a laser crystal that looks promising as an intermediate gain laser material. A lasing threshold comparable to Nd:YAG, higher slope efficiency, and three times higher Q-switched output energy have been obtained. The laser tests were performed on 6.3-mm diam by 76-mm log rods under identical conditions.