9.2 - W diode–end–pumped Yb:Y2O3 ceramic laser

Abstract

We report on a high-power diode–end–pumped polycrystalline Yb:Y2O3 ceramic laser. Under the pump power of 27W, continuous-wave output power of 9.2W at 1078nm has been obtained by using an output coupler of R=96%. The laser had a threshold of 3.1W and a slope efficiency of 41%. Comparative studies on the laser performance between the Yb:Y2O3 ceramic and the Yb:yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) single crystal show that at the same doping concentration of 8at.%, higher laser efficiency can be obtained in the Yb:Y2O3 ceramic laser than in the Yb:YAG single crystal laser.