Single crystal and transparent ceramic Nd-doped oxide laser materials: a comparative spectroscopic investigation

The high resolution spectroscopy indicates that the spectroscopic and emission dynamics properties of cubic oxide transparent ceramics (Nd:YAG and Nd:Y₂O₃) produced by the method of solid-state mixing of oxides are similar to those of the single crystals. The ability of these ceramics to incorporate very high concentrations of Nd (10 at.%) enables a considerable extension of the knowledge of these systems. These studies reveal that for the whole range of Nd concentrations the distribution of the Nd ions at the available substitution sites in these ceramics is random over the whole body of the crystalline ceramic grains and no regions of enhanced concentration are evident. Coupled with the structural, mechanical and thermal properties and with the lower fabrication cost and the enhanced versatility in the control of composition and size, these ceramics are a viable alternative for the crystalline materials in construction of solid-state lasers.