Characterizations and laser performances of highly transparent Nd3+:Y3Al5O12 laser ceramics

The recent development of ceramic laser materials is probably the most important innovation in the field of laser material fabrication technology. Recently, we have been able to fabricate highly transparent neodymium doped Y3Al5O12 ceramics as solid-state laser materials by the vacuum sintering technique and nanocrystalline technology. The optical properties and microstructure of those ceramics were investigated. Flashlamp-pumped laser operation with the ceramic rod was demonstrated. Laser diode (LD) pumped composite ceramic laser was also demonstrated.