Growth and characterization of Nd-doped SBN single crystal fibers

The growth from ceramic pedestals of single crystal fibers of strontium barium niobate (SBN), doped with different Nd concentrations, was studied. High-quality fibers were grown for Nd doping levels of up to 4.2 at.%, and doping levels as high as 9.9 at.% were reached. No signs of core effects were observed, even for the highest concentration samples. The emission spectra of Nd³⁺ ions in the fibers did not differ from those obtained from bulk SBN crystals, showing very broad bands due to the typical disorder of the crystallographic tungsten-bronze structure. Fluorescence quenching was clearly observed for Nd doping levels above 2 at.%. PACS 81.10.Fq; 78.55.-m