Resonantly pumped eye-safe Er 3+ :YAG SPS-HIP ceramic laser

We report for the first time laser action in resonantly-pumped transparent polycrystalline Er3+:YAG ceramic developed through a 2-step approach combining spark plasma sintering and HIP post treatment. Microstructural and spectroscopic properties, as well as the laser performance of large scale 0.5at.% Er:YAG transparent polycrystalline ceramic are discussed. A maximum slope efficiency of ∼31% and optical-optical efficiency of 20% was measured.