In this paper, we present our recent progress in the development of rare-earth (Yb³⁺ or Ho³⁺) doped Lu₂O₃ and Y₂O₃ sesquioxides for high power solid state lasers. We have fabricated high quality transparent ceramics using nano-powders synthesized by a co-precipitation method. This was accomplished by developments in high purity powder synthesis and low temperature scalable sintering technology developed at NRL. The optical, spectral and morphological properties as well as the lasing performance from our highly transparent ceramics are presented. In the second part of the paper, we discuss our recent research effort in developing cladded-single crystal fibers for high power single frequency fiber lasers has the potential to significantly exceed the capabilities of existing silica fiber based lasers. Single crystal fiber cores with diameters as small as 35μm have been drawn using high purity rare earth doped ceramic or single crystal feed rods by the Laser Heated Pedestal Growth (LHPG) process. Our recent results on the development of suitable claddings on the crystal fiber core are discussed.

Date Published: 23 May 2013
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 8733, Laser Technology for Defense and Security IX, 87330V (23 May 2013); doi: 10.1117/12.2018421

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8733:
Laser Technology for Defense and Security IX
Mark Dubinskii; Stephen G. Post, Editor(s)