Fabrication, microstructure and laser performance of Yb3+ doped CaF2-YF3 transparent ceramics

摘要

Yb3+: CaF2 transparent ceramics are promising laser gain medium with outstanding performance. Considering Yb3+ ions tend to form clusters in CaF2 host, the aim of this paper was to investigate the influence of Y3+ ions doping on the spectroscopic properties of 3 at.% Yb3+: CaF2 transparent ceramics. High optical quality of Yb3+: CaF2-YF3 samples doped with different Y3+ ions concentrations (from 1 at.% to 6 at.%) were fabricated by hot-pressed (HP) method. The effect of Y3+ ions on the crystal structure, morphology of the particles and microstructure of the ceramics were studied. Interestingly, the particle size of Yb3+: CaF2 powders decreased with the increasing of Y3+ ions concentrations, while the emission intensity at 1028 nm and lifetime first increased then decreased. Continuous-wave (CW) laser at the wavelength of 1049 nm was obtained in 3 at% Yb3+, 1 at%Y3+: CaF2 ceramics. The maximum output power was 1.16 W with a slope efficiency of 29.3%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of laser in Yb3+: CaF2-YF3 ceramics.