Abstract

Cubic Y₂O₃ crystal has been investigated for a long time as an active host material for rare earth ions due to its favorable properties.^1–3 Among these are its refractory nature, stability, ruggedness, optical clarity over a broad spectral region, high thermal conductivity and broad emission band. etc. Thermal conductivity of Y,0₃ is about two times larger than thatofY₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG),and the thermal expansion coefficient is very similar.⁴ But because of very high melting temperature of such oxide (2450°C), it is extremely difficult to grow large-size high optical quality Y₂O₃, single crystals by conventional crystal growth methods. The laser oscillation results were not satisfying either.

© 2002 Optical Society of America