Thin disk laser operation and spectroscopic characterization of Yb-doped Sesquioxides

Yb:Sc2O3 and Yb:Lu2O3 crystals have been grown and analyzed spectroscopically. In the thin disk laser configuration cw operation with 61 % slope efficiency and a maximum output power of 18.3 W could be demonstrated with Yb:Sc2O3. Yb-doped potassium tungstates were also operated in a high power cw thin disk laser. 73 W of output power with more than 60 % optical efficiency and 73 % slope efficiency was achieved using Yb:KYW.