Transparent ceramics for high-energy laser systems

► Demonstrated that transparent magnesium aluminate spinel ceramic possesses excellent thermo-optical properties and superior ruggedness compared with existing materials for high energy laser systems. ► Fabricated transparent spinel ceramic with record low absorption loss of 6 ppm/cm at a wavelength of 1.06 μm. ► Spinel has excellent figure of merit for low optical path distortion in high energy laser systems. ► Demonstrated lasing in transparent Yb3+:Y2O3 ceramic made by hot pressing high purity submicron co-precipitated powder. Laser efficiency was about 45%. ► These results pave the way forward for high power solid state lasers exploiting hosts with higher thermal conductivity than YAG.