Synthesis of Nd:YVO 4 Thin Films by a Sol‐Gel Method

Nd: YVO 4 powders and thin films were successfuly synthesized by the sol–gel method using metal alkoxides. A homogeneous and stable solution was prepared by the reaction of Y(OEt) 3 , VO(O i Pr) 3 , and Nd(OEt) 3 in 2‐methoxyethanol. The precursor was a mixture of vanadium and yttrium double alkoxide. Precursor films were prepared by dip coating and crystallization to single‐phase YVO 4 at 500°C. Nd:YVO 4 films were crystallized with (200) preferred orientation on glass substrates, which showed the characteristic optical absorption of neodymium.