Ceramic windows and gain media for high-energy lasers

Recent progress in high-quality transparent ceramic window materials (MgAl2O4 spinel and beta-SiC) and high-power solid-state laser materials (Yb3+ : Y2O3, Yb3+ : Lu2O3, and Ho3+ : Lu2O3) is reported. Spinel ceramic demonstrates a record low-absorption loss of 6 ppm/cm at 1.06 mu m. The capability of fabricating various shapes and sizes of spinel ceramics is also demonstrated. We also report optical transparency from a beta-SiC ceramic fabricated by field assisted sintering technology (FAST). We report lasing in hot-pressed Yb3+ : Y2O3 and Yb3+ : Lu2O3 ceramic made from coprecipitated powder. The highest ever reported output power and efficiency from 10% doped Yb3+ : Lu2O3 ceramic is also presented. Lasing oscillation from hot pressed composite of five-layered Yb3+ : Y2O3 ceramic is also demonstrated for the first time. (c) 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). [DOI: 10.1117/1.OE.52.2.021003]