Growth and characterization of Ca5(BO3)3F fiber crystals, a new nonlinear optical material for UV light generation
Résumé
For the first time, Ca5(BO3)3F (CBF) fiber crystals were grown by the micro-pulling down technique from LiF-based flux. Regular and transparent fibers were obtained with good optical quality. Characterization by Raman spectroscopy and EDX microprobe showed fibers compositionally homogeneous. The specific heat capacity of the fibers was measured indicating a laser damage threshold slightly lower, at room temperature, than for crystals belonging to the related rare earth calcium oxoborate family.