Nd:CaYAlO4—a new crystal for solid-state lasers emitting at 1.08 μm

Abstract
Crystals with the K2 NiF4 structure are good hosts for transition metal and rare‐earth ions. Continuous‐wave room‐temperature laser action in a neodymium‐doped crystal with this structure, CaYAlO4 , was observed using a GaAlAs diode laser array for end pumping of the laser rod. The free‐running laser operated at a wavelength of 1080.6 nm.