Fabrication and spectral properties of Yb:(Sc0.9Y0.1)O3 transparent ceramics

Yb3+ doped Sc2O3 and (Y0.9Sc0.1)2O3 transparent ceramics were fabricated by solid-state reaction and sintered in H2 atmosphere. The effects of Y2O3 on Yb:Sc2O3 ceramics were investigated. Y2O3 can inhibit the excessive grain growth in Yb:Sc2O3 ceramics, and increase the transparency effectively. The lattice parameter of Yb:(Sc0.9Y0.1)2O3 ceramics became larger due to the introducing of Y3+ ions. The gain cross-sections (σg) were evaluated with different β values. The energy level diagrams were calculated based on the absorption and emission spectra, Yb:(Y0.9Sc0.1)2O3 ceramics exhibits a large ground-state splitting of 2F7/2. Furthermore, the emission bands of Yb:(Sc0.9Y0.1)2O3 ceramics are inhomogeneously broadened compared to Yb:Sc2O3 ceramics. Broad emission bandwidths of Yb:(Sc0.9Y0.1)2O3 ceramics are favorable for the generation of ultrashort pulse laser in mode-locked operation.

► Yb:(Y0.9Sc0.1)2O3 transparent ceramics were fabricated by solid-state reaction and sintered in H2 atmosphere.
► Y2O3 can inhibit the excessive grain growth in Yb:Sc2O3 ceramics and increase the transparency.
► The emission bands of Yb:(Sc0.9Y0.1)2O3 are inhomogeneously broadened compared with Yb:Sc2O3.
► Broad emission bandwidths of Yb:(Sc0.9Y0.1)2O3 are favorable for ultrashort pulse laser through mode-locked technique.