Synthesis and Laser-Related Spectroscopy of Er:Y2O3 Optical Ceramics as a Gain Medium for In-Band-Pumped 1.6 mu m Lasers

In this paper, Er:Y2O3 optical ceramics were fabricated and details of the synthesis were presented. The spectral-luminescent properties of Er3+:Y2O3 optical ceramics were investigated. The absorption and emission cross-section spectra were determined. The luminescence kinetics at near 1.6 mu m was single exponential and the lifetime of erbium I-4(13/2) energy level was determined. In the frame of the conventional Judd-Ofelt theory, the emission properties of the energy levels of erbium I-4(13/2) and I-4(11/2) involved in laser operation at near 1.6 mu m were calculated. The gain coefficient curves for typical values of the relative population of the upper laser level I-4(13/2) were presented. The composition and structure were studied using the SEM, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray computer tomography techniques.