Transparent ceramics for high-power solid-state lasers

We report results for high quality transparent ceramic window materials (spinel and β-SiC) and high power solid state laser materials (Yb:Y2O3 and Yb:Lu2O3). Spinel ceramic demonstrates a record low absorption loss of 6 ppm/cm at 1.06 μm. We also report optical transparency from a β-SiC ceramic fabricated by the Spark Plasma Sintering technique. Capability of fabricating various shape and size of spinel ceramics is also demonstrated. We report lasing in hot pressed Yb3+:Y2O3 and Yb3+:Lu2O3 ceramic made from co-precipitated powder. Highest output power and efficiency from heavily doped Yb3+ doped Lu2O3 ceramic are reported.