Abstract

Within the last few years the development of efficient and powerful fiber and diode lasers emitting around 1470 nm and 1532 nm was strongly progressing. These lasers offer a good potential for inband pumping of the ⁴I_13/2 manifold of the Er³⁺-ion in e.g. glass or YAG allowing efficient lasing with low quantum defect. For high-power lasers the requirements on the thermo-mechanical properties of the host material increase, demanding for a high heat transfer coefficient and good mechanical strength of the host medium. Compared to the well established YAG crystal, the Lu₂O₃ crystal has a better heat transfer coefficient and a good mechanical strength, making this host interesting for high-power laser application [1].

© 2009 IEEE