Spectroscopy, continuous-wave and passively Q-switched laser operation of transparent Tm:LuAG ceramics

Abstract

Transparent ceramics are promising materials for solid-state lasers because of their size-scalable synthesis method, high optical quality and similar spectroscopic properties as compared to their single-crystal counterparts. In particular, the Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG) garnet is attractive for the fabrication of transparent ceramics due to its excellent thermal properties [1]. Due to the closeness of ionic radii of Lu3+ and Tm3+, LuAG ceramic is attractive for hosting tulium (Tm3+) ions which are known for its eye-safe laser emission at ~2 µm (the 3F4 → 3H6 transition). Moreover, in garnets, the Tm3+ emission typically occurs above 2 µm which is relevant to mode-locking of femtosecond lasers [2].