Magneto-optical characteristics of holmium oxide (Ho_2O_3) ceramics

Abstract

Transparent Ho2O3 ceramics are fabricated and their magneto-optical characteristics are reported for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The value of the Verdet constant was measured in the 560–1064 nm wavelength range, and the value at 1064 nm is 46.3 rad/Tm. This corresponds to the Verdet constant for terbium aluminum garnet (TAG), which is ~1.3 times higher than that of terbium gallium garnet (TGG). The in-line transmittance at 1 μm wavelength is only ~60%, but the optical properties can be further improved by optimizing sintering conditions. This is a new potential magneto-optic material that can be applicable for high-average-power lasers.