Transparent Yb: (LuxSc1−x)2O3 ceramics sintered from carbonate co-precipitated powders

Ultra-fine, well dispersed Yb: (LuxSc1−x)2O3 nanopowders were synthesized by a carbonate co-precipitation method, in which ammonium hydrogen carbonate (NH4HCO3) and ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) were mixed at the molar ratio of 3:1 as the precipitant and ammonia sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) as dispersing agent. The precursor calcined at different temperatures was investigated by TG/DTA, FT-IR and XRD to choose the best calcination temperature. Transparent Yb: (LuxSc1−x)2O3 ceramics with in-line transmittance of 46.2% at 1200 nm wavelength were sintered from the nanopowders calcined at 1100 °C for 4 h. The emission spectrum of Yb: (LuxSc1−x)2O3 was found inhomogeneously broadened compared to Yb: Sc2O3. Broad emission band are very beneficial in generating ultra-fast pulse. Results indicate that Yb: (LuxSc1−x)2O3 is a kind of promising ultra-fast laser material.