Laser oscillation in hot pressed 10% Yb3+:Lu2O3 ceramic

We report the first demonstration of laser oscillation at 1081 nm using a 10% Yb3+ doped Lu2O3 ceramic made by hot pressing of high purity co-precipitated powder. Approximately 2.5 W of output power was obtained with an optical-to-optical efficiency of ∼10%. This represents the highest output power obtained and the highest concentration of Yb3+ used thus far in a Yb3+ doped Lu2O3 ceramic.