New data on the physical properties of Y3Al5O12-based nanocrystalline laser ceramics

Abstract

Microhardness and fracture toughness of highly transparent Y3Al5O12-and Y3Al5O12: Nd3+-based nanocrystalline ceramics are measured for the first time. For the Y3Al5O12: Nd3+ laser ceramics, the use of a longitudinal scheme with a diode-laser pumping at a wavelength of 1.3186 mm (4 F 3/2 → 4 I 13/2 channel) enabled one to attain an output power of continuous-wave lasing of ∼3.7 W with 35% efficiency.