Fabrication and characteristics of neodymium-activated yttrium oxide optical ceramics

The results of investigations of mechanical, optical and laser characteristics of ceramics made from neodymium-activated yttrium oxide are presented. The ceramics were fabricated with the use of a new technology including Laser synthesis of nanopowders and their magnetic pulsed compaction (LSN&MPC). The fracture toughness (КIC = 0.9–1.4 MPa m1/2) and microhardness (НV = 11.8 GPa) of the ceramics have been determined. It has been found that ceramic samples sintered in the temperature range from 1550 to 2050 °С have (1–150) vol. ppm porosity and optical loss coefficient in the range from 0.03 to 2.1 cm−1. It has been shown that pore content in this range did not influence on the optical loss coefficient. Laser generation at λg ≈ 1.079 μm with a slope efficiency of 15% under laser diode pumping has been obtained in 1.1 mm thickness sample with α1.07 μm = 0.03 cm−1.