Inband-pumped Er:Lu2O3 laser near 1.6 µm

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
⁴
I
13/2
manifold of the Er
³⁺
-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 Lu
2
O
3
crystal has a better heat transfer coefficient and a good mechanical strength, making this host interesting for high-power laser application [1].