Yb:(YLa)2O3 laser ceramics produced by microwave sintering

The possibility of using microwave heating for sintering of optical oxide ceramics and the advantages of this method are considered. Sintering of Yb_0.1:(YLa)_1.9O₃ ceramics by heating with 24-GHz radiation is studied. The compacts for sintering are prepared from nanosized powders obtained by high-temperature synthesis from acetate-nitrates of rare-earth metals. The effect of addition of lanthanum oxide and of the uniaxial pressing conditions on the microstructure and optical transmission of ceramics is studied. Lasing at a wavelength of 1030 nm with an efficiency of 7.5 % is achieved in ceramic samples of the (Yb_0.05Y_0.1La_0.85)₂O₃ composition under pumping by a laser diode at a wavelength of 940 nm.