Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a single LTGA crystal from a polycrystalline starting material prepared from a mixture of La2O3, Ta2O5, Ga2O3, and Al2O3, wherein a mixture having a composition represented by y(La2O3)+(1?x?y?z)(Ta2O5)+z(Ga2O3)+x(Al2O3) (in the formula, 0<x?0.40/9, 3.00/9<y?3.23/9, and 5.00/9?z<5.50/9) is used as the polycrystalline starting material, and a single LTGA crystal is grown using the Z-axis as a crystal growth axis. The grown LTGA single crystal is preferably subjected to a vacuum heat treatment. The single LTGA crystal grown by the method according to the present invention, which is highly insulative and highly stable, can be utilized in such applications as a piezoelectric element of a highly reliable combustion pressure sensor useful in measurement of a combustion pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a single LTGA crystal from a polycrystalline starting material prepared from a mixture of La2O3, Ta2O5, Ga2O3, and Al2O3, wherein a mixture having a composition represented by y(La2O3)+(1-x-y-z)(Ta2O5)+z(Ga2O3)+x(Al2O3) (in the formula, 0<x?0.40/9, 3.00/9<y?3.23/9, and 5.00/9?z<5.50/9) is used as the polycrystalline starting material, and a single LTGA crystal is grown using the Z-axis as a crystal growth axis. The grown LTGA single crystal is preferably subjected to a vacuum heat treatment. The single LTGA crystal grown by the method according to the present invention, which is highly insulative and highly stable, can be utilized in such applications as a piezoelectric element of a highly reliable combustion pressure sensor useful in measurement of a combustion pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A laser-diode pumped solid-state laser apparatus comprises at least one laser diode producing a pumping laser light, and at least one laser light generator including a monocrystalline substance doped with a dopant element and pumped with the pumping laser light from at least one laser diode, the monocrystalline substance containing the dopant element with a concentration profile such that the dopant element increases a concentration thereof in a direction perpendicular to a laser oscillation direction gently in the form of a slope from a near zero concentration.

Abstract: A laser-diode pumped solid-state laser apparatus comprises at least one laser diode producing a pumping laser light, and at least one laser light generator including a monocrystalline substance doped with a dopant element and pumped with the pumping laser light from at least one laser diode, the monocrystalline substance containing the dopant element with a concentration profile such that the dopant element increases a concentration thereof in a direction perpendicular to a laser oscillation direction gently in the form of a slope from a near zero concentration.