Crystal Structure and Optical Characteristics of K2Nd2O(BO3)2

A rare earth oxyborate crystal K2Nd2O(BO3)2 has been grown by means of high temperature solution method for the first time. It crystallizes in monoclinic P21/c (No. 14) space group, and the lattice parameters are a=11.318(6) Å, b=6.575(4) Å, c=10.689(6) Å, β=117.062(12)°, and Z=4. The absorption spectrum, emission spectrum, and fluorescence lifetime of K2Nd2O(BO3)2 have been evaluated, and the foundational spectral parameters have been analysed according to the Judd-Ofelt theory. The high concentration of activated ions (1.13×1022 ions/cm3), large absorption coefficient (87.63 cm-1), long fluorescence lifetime (91.2 μs), and large emission cross section (2.03×10-20 cm2) of K2Nd2O(BO3)2 suggest its potential applications of microchip lasers.