Nd:YAG/Cr:YAG composite laser ceramics

Resumo

This work reports the synthesis of transparent composite ceramics consisting of Nd:YAG in the central part and Cr⁴⁺:YAG in the edge cladding. The central part of ceramics was shaped like 14-mm-diameter disk or 11-mm-side square and an outer diameter of the edge cladding was 18 mm or 23 mm, respectively. The central part of ceramics had an optical transmittance of ~84% at a wavelength of 1.06 µm. The concentration of Cr⁴⁺ in Cr⁴⁺:YAG ceramics of three different compositions was estimated from the transmission spectra measured and known absorption cross sections. The optimal composition of edge cladding was estimated to be 2.5 mol % Cr + 0.5 mol % Ca + 97 mol % YAG to avoid self-excitation in Nd:YAG.