Characterization of Yb:YAG ceramics as laser media

Year: 2010

Authors: Alderighi D., Pirri A., Toci G., Vannini M., Esposito L., Costa A.L., Piancastelli A., Serantoni M.

Autors Affiliation: IFAC-CNR Istituto di Fisica Applicata Carrara, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy; ISTEC-CNR, Istituto di Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali Ceramici, Via Granarolo 64, 48018 Faenza (RA), Italy

Abstract: We report the preparation and characterization of 9.8 at.% Yb3+ doped YAG polycrystalline ceramics for laser applications. Reactive sintering of commercial powders in a clean atmosphere and under high vacuum has been used to achieve the YAG phase. The selected experimental conditions for the powder treatment, shaping and sintering are described and their influence on the optical quality of the obtained samples has been discussed. Microstructural, optical and laser characterization of the ceramics have been performed. In particular the influence of the pre-sintering (calcination) and sintering cycles has been investigated by laser characterization allowing to find unexpected loss mechanisms that cannot be revealed by standard optical characterization.

Journal/Review: OPTICAL MATERIALS

Volume: 33 (2)      Pages from: 205  to: 210

KeyWords: Commercial powders; Experimental conditions; High vacuum; Laser ceramics; Laser characterization; Laser crystals; Laser media; Loss mechanisms; Micro-structural; Optical characterization; Optical qualities; Polycrystalline ceramics; Reactive sintering; Sintering cycles; YAG; Yb, Calcination; Ceramic materials; Laser applications; Lasers; Ytterbium, Sintering
DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2010.08.022

Citations: 21
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