Spectroscopic properties and efficient diode-pumped laser operation of neodymium-doped lanthanum scandium borate

We report on the spectroscopic properties and laser performance of Czochralski-grown LaSc/sub 3/(BO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ (LSB) crystals with high neodymium concentrations up to 2.5/spl middot/10/sup 21/ cm/sup -3/. The low-concentration quenching of the upper laser level of neodymium and the polarization dependence of the spectra indicate that LaSc/sub 3/(BO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ crystalizes in a huntite-type structure like Nd/sup 3+/:YAl/sub 3/(BO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ (NYAB). With diode laser pumping at 808 nm, a multimode Nd/sup 3+/:LaSc/sub 3/(BO/sub 3/)/sub 4/ (NLSB) laser at 1063 nm is demonstrated. Optical slope efficiency was 64% with respect to absorbed pump power. The possibility of second-harmonic generation in the laser crystal is discussed.>