CaF2:Yb laser ceramics

CaF2:Yb fluoride laser ceramics, prepared by hot-forming, exhibit the same optical properties as starting single crystals. Slope efficiency of the Сa0.95Yb0.05F2.05 is equal to 35% in the pulsed mode of laser operation. Decrease of ytterbium concentration in CaF2:Yb samples down to 3 mol.% resulted in the essential improvement of Сa0.97Yb0.03F2.03 thermal conductivity from 3.5 to 4.5 W/m K, but slightly decreased (down to 30%) slope efficiency of the samples under both pulsed and CW mode of operation. Alternative hot-pressing synthesis of CaF2:Yb fluoride laser ceramics provided materials with superior mechanical properties (microhardness Н = 3.2 GPa and fracture toughness К1С = 0.65 МPа m1/2) in comparison with hot-formed and/or single crystal CaF2:Yb specimens. For the first time, lasing has been observed for the novel aforementioned hot-pressed CaF2:Yb ceramics.

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► Hot-pressing technique produced CaF2:Yb ceramics with superior mechanical properties.
► For the first time, lasing has been observed for the hot-pressed CaF2:Yb ceramics.
► Сa0.95Yb0.05F2.05 ceramics has exhibited ηsl = 35% for the pulse-periodic conditions.
► Сa0.97Yb0.03F2.03 sample has exhibited ηsl = 30% under both pulse and CW conditions.
► Thermal conductivity increases with decreasing of YbF3 content in CaF2:Yb ceramics.