Abstract

The sesquioxide of Yttrium is subject of interest to the fields of laser physics and spectroscopy since the early sixties. It exhibits a thermal conductivity that is higher than that of the well established laser host material Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG). Similarily high thermal conductivities can also be found in the isostructural scandia (Sc₂O₃) and lutetia (LU2O3). The thermal conductivities range between 12.5 W/mK in lutetia and 16.5 W/mK in scandia, measured at 50 C. Undoped YAG shows a thermal conductivity of 11 W/mK measured under the same conditions. This property makes the sesquioxides promising host materials for rare-earth based laser systems, especially for high power applications. Furthermore the sesquioxides exhibit a strong crystal field splitting which is favourable for quasi four level systems, e. g. Ytterbium lasers.

© 2001 EPS