Continuous-wave laser performance of 10 at% Yb:YSAG transparent ceramics

We report on the continuous-wave and tunable laser operation of transparent 10 at% Yb:Y₃Sc_1.5Al_3.5O₁₂ (Yb:YSAG) ceramics, which have a dense and homogenous microstructure after being sintered at 1820 °C for 10 h. The Yb:YSAG ceramics have excellent optical in-line transmittance characteristics. The broad absorption and emission spectra of Yb:YSAG demonstrated that these ceramics are suitable for laser-diode pumping solid-state lasers. For the 2-mm thick ceramic, a continuous-wave output power of 1.79 W at 1031 nm was measured with a slope efficiency of 18.3%, and a smooth tunable spectra ranging from 1021 nm to 1040 nm has been obtained, with a tunable wavelength exceeding approximately 19 nm. (paper)