Fabrication, optical properties and LD-pumped 2.7 μm laser performance of low Er3+ concentration doped Lu2O3 transparent ceramics

Abstract

Transparent Er:Lu2O3 ceramics were fabricated by the solid-state reaction method and vacuum sintering followed by hot isostatic pressing. The micrograph of the Er:Lu2O3 transparent ceramics exhibited a pore-free structure with the average grain size of ∼2μm. The in-line transmittance at 600nm and 1300nm were about 80% and 83%, respectively. The absorption, emission spectra and the decay lifetimes of Er:Lu2O3 ceramics were investigated. The 3at.% Er:Lu2O3 ceramics were pumped by 967nm InGaAs laser diodes. A maximum output power of 189mW at 2.7μm was obtained with a corresponding slope efficiency of 2.16%.