Effect of La2O3 on microstructures and laser properties of Nd:YAG ceramics

Abstract Transparent 1.0 at.% Nd:YAG ceramics were fabricated by vacuum sintering technology using commercial α-Al2O3, Y2O3 and Nd2O3 powders as raw materials. Influence of La2O3 additions (0–1.2 wt%) on microstructures and optical properties of Nd:YAG ceramics was investigated. The results indicate that the optical properties of Nd:YAG ceramics with 0.4 wt% La2O3 are superior than those of undoped-Nd:YAG ceramics. When the amount of La2O3 is 0.8 wt%, the specimen has the highest transmittance in the region from 400 nm to 1100 nm. No pores or other defects are found in or between the grains. However, residual inclusions along grain boundaries and pores are easily generated by adding excessive La2O3 (1.2 wt%). The Nd:YAG ceramics are pumped by a diode laser to study the laser properties. The slope efficiency and threshold of Nd:YAG ceramics with optimum addition of La2O3 (0.8 wt%) are 41.1% and 2.9 W, respectively, which are the best laser oscillation results among all the specimens.

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